Chapter XXXIII

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

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading And what were Ned Hayward and Mary Clifford talking about?

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

having fair knowledge of

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

(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 Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

plural of “alley” — a narrow street with walls on both sides

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

Having no one else present.

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

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

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

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

From this reading And what were Ned Hayward and Mary Clifford talking about?

expected hopefully

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

a street in Manhattan noted for cheap hotels frequented by homeless derelicts

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

plural of “byway” — a side road little traveled (as in the countryside)

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

an occurrence of something

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

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

From this reading And what were Ned Hayward and Mary Clifford talking about?

a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

recognizable; marked

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

divisible by two

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading We all know it: we all feel it instinctively.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

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

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

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

From this reading And what were Ned Hayward and Mary Clifford talking about?

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

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

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

as a matter of instinct

From this reading We all know it: we all feel it instinctively.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

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

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

and nothing more

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

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 I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

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

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

engage in

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading And what were Ned Hayward and Mary Clifford talking about?

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

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

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

From this reading And what were Ned Hayward and Mary Clifford talking about?

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

and nothing more

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

just preceding something else in time or order

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

precisely, exactly

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

not often

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading And what were Ned Hayward and Mary Clifford talking about?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

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

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

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

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

precisely as stated

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.

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

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We all know it: we all feel it instinctively.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

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

From this reading And what were Ned Hayward and Mary Clifford talking about?

used to ask for information about something

From this reading And what were Ned Hayward and Mary Clifford talking about?

at the time that

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

which person or people

From this reading It was an extremely right, just, and proper view of the case, that was taken, when people (I do not know who), decided that three forms a congregation.

in the company of; together with

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

plural of “witness” — someone who sees an event and reports what happened

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

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

From this reading I have observed during some acquaintance with life, and a good deal of examination into all its curious little byways and narrow alleys, that the conversation which takes place between two people left alone to talk together, without any witnesses but green fields and bowery trees, is never, or at least very seldom, that which any one, even well acquainted with them, would have anticipated from a previous knowledge of their characters.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Wait one minute, and you shall hear all about it; but first let me pause to make only one remark.