a step when it is taken

Read this year.

What is a sentence. A sentence is a duplicate. An exact duplicate is depreciated. Why is a duplicated sentence not depreciated. Because it is a witness. No witnesses are without value.

(Gertrude Stein, How to Write, 1931)

“We will advise you to take any step you have decided on,” said Miss Luke. “It must be advisable to take a step. There is more point in a step when it is taken.”

(Ivy Compton-Burnett, More Women Than Men, 1933)