Answer:
That sentence actually means that the science lesson was so long.
Explanation:
They used a hyperbole in this sentence to sow the reader that the science lesson felt like it dragged on forever. But did it really? Probably not.
By using the words such as "cold", "shrill", and "howling", this gives the impression that the house is unhospitable and unwelcoming, as the words cold, shrill, and howling are not words commonly associated with pleaseant experiences. It also sets the tone of the "Story" (I have no idea where this came from), giving it a foreboding mood.
