Chapter IX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Early in the morning, all through the day, and late at night, I have lived to maltreat those clothes.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading And they are showing signs of being weary and wounded.

plural of “aristocrat” — a member of the aristocracy

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading And they are showing signs of being weary and wounded.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

the act of brushing your teeth

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

clothing in general

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Early in the morning, all through the day, and late at night, I have lived to maltreat those clothes.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Early in the morning, all through the day, and late at night, I have lived to maltreat those clothes.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

the process whereby a protein molecule assumes its intricate three-dimensional shape

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

immediately past

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Early in the morning, all through the day, and late at night, I have lived to maltreat those clothes.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Early in the morning, all through the day, and late at night, I have lived to maltreat those clothes.

treat badly

From this reading Early in the morning, all through the day, and late at night, I have lived to maltreat those clothes.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

garments that must be repaired

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

the second day of the week; the first working day

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Early in the morning, all through the day, and late at night, I have lived to maltreat those clothes.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

by chance

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

have sovereign power

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

(corporate finance) the amount, expressed as a percentage, that is earned on a company's total capital calculated by dividing the total capital into earnings before interest, taxes, or dividends are paid

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

searching for or buying goods or services

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

the display of a motion picture

From this reading And they are showing signs of being weary and wounded.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading And they are showing signs of being weary and wounded.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

-ing form of “smooth” — make smooth or smoother, as if by rubbing

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

a short musical composition with words

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

glitter as if covered with spangles

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

covered with beads or jewels or sequins

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

express in words

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

a special situation

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Early in the morning, all through the day, and late at night, I have lived to maltreat those clothes.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Early in the morning, all through the day, and late at night, I have lived to maltreat those clothes.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

a quiet or hushed tone of voice

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

a hole for the escape of gas or air

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

be dressed in

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading And they are showing signs of being weary and wounded.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading I was up-stairs in my own room at Cousin Eunice's, brushing, shaking, smoothing, folding, and now and then mending a little ripped place in my clothes, for, during the last four weeks I have done nothing but wear them.

at the time that

From this reading A SHOPPING EXPEDITION "_O Richard, O mon roi_," I carolled this morning, but I confess that I carolled it as much in an undertone as the unfortunate aristocrats had to employ when they chose to give vent to their feelings by singing that song during the Reign of Terror.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.

people who are wounded

From this reading And they are showing signs of being weary and wounded.

past form of “yearn” — desire strongly or persistently

From this reading It is a good thing, possibly, that mother and Cousin Eunice would not let me have the black spangled net that my soul yearned for, else there would not have been a spangle left to tell the tale by this time.