would + verb infinitive

[Geo777]

Hello,

Could somebody help me, please?
I'm reading a novel in which the writer constantly uses the grammar structure would + verb(infinitive).
Could you explain me please why?
For example:
"The next afternoon at Mrs. Dubose's was the same as the first, and so was the next, until gradually a pattern emerged: everything would begin normally - that is, Mrs. Dubose would hound Jem for a while on her favorite subject, her camellias and ...; she would grow inscreasingly silent, then go away from us. The alarm clock would ring. Jessie would shoo us out, and the rest of the day was ours."

Thank you
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Slow but sure.

[Expatcat]

To Kill a Mockingbird, very good choice.

I will copy/paste definition #4 for the entry would (from dictionary.com)

would 4. (used to express repeated or habitual action in the past): We would visit Grandma every morning up at the farm.

Does that help?

[Geo777]

Expatcat,
Thank you very much

A good deed is never lost.
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Slow but sure.

[Wanderer]

I don't know for certain but it may have the same meaning as used to.
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Let my English be checked!