About this time we were much embarrassed by a general order of the War Department, promising a thirty-days furlough to all soldiers who would "veteranize "--viz., reenlist for the rest of the war. This was a judicious and wise measure, because it doubtless secured the services of a very large portion of the men who had almost completed a three-years enlistment, and were therefore veteran soldiers in feeling and in habit. But to furlough so many of our men at that instant of time was like disbanding an army in the very midst of battle.英文原著 · 《Memoirs of General William T. Sherman-1》
"Got a furlough?" he repeated to gain time for thought. "I -- I ----" He had never thought of it before; the words in her letter flashed into his mind, and he felt his face flush. He would not tell her a lie. "No, I ain't got no furlough," he said, and paused whilst he tried to get his words together to explain. But she did not give him time.英文原著 · 《The Burial of the Guns》
In less than half a furlong way of space: immediately; literally, in less time than it takes to walk half a furlong (110 yards).英文原著 · 《The Canterbury Tales》
A furlong way or two: a short time; literally, as long as it takes to walk one or two furlongs (a furlong is 220 yards)英文原著 · 《The Canterbury Tales》
Or it a furlong way was old: before it was older than the space of time during which one might walk a furlong; a measure of time often employed by Chaucer.英文原著 · 《The Canterbury Tales》