See: AFTER A WHILE, EVERY NOW AND THEN or EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.
{adv. phr.} Later, at some time in the future; after a time that is not short and not long. * /"Dad, will you help me make this model plane?" "After a while, Jimmy, when I finish reading the newspaper."/ * /The boys gathered some wood, and in a while, a hot fire was burning./ Syn.: BY AND BY. Contrast: RIGHT AWAY.