Chapter XXVIII

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

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading Another is that, though it is true I had good cause to suppose the man in hiding to be James Mullen, I had no actual proof of his identity.

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

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

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

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Another is that, though it is true I had good cause to suppose the man in hiding to be James Mullen, I had no actual proof of his identity.

take into custody

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading Another is that, though it is true I had good cause to suppose the man in hiding to be James Mullen, I had no actual proof of his identity.

of or relating to or characteristic of Cuba or the people of Cuba

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

turn up, loosen, or remove earth

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

a native or inhabitant of Finland

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

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

From this reading Another is that, though it is true I had good cause to suppose the man in hiding to be James Mullen, I had no actual proof of his identity.

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

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

the activity of keeping something secret

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Another is that, though it is true I had good cause to suppose the man in hiding to be James Mullen, I had no actual proof of his identity.

A small edible dark blue or black berry, or the famous literary character Huck Finn.

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

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

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity

From this reading Another is that, though it is true I had good cause to suppose the man in hiding to be James Mullen, I had no actual proof of his identity.

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

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading Well, for several reasons, one of which is that the story would then have been shorter and perhaps less interesting.

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

From this reading Well, for several reasons, one of which is that the story would then have been shorter and perhaps less interesting.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading Another is that, though it is true I had good cause to suppose the man in hiding to be James Mullen, I had no actual proof of his identity.

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

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Well, for several reasons, one of which is that the story would then have been shorter and perhaps less interesting.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

engage in

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

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

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

in such a manner as could not be otherwise

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

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

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

not any; not one

From this reading Another is that, though it is true I had good cause to suppose the man in hiding to be James Mullen, I had no actual proof of his identity.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

on one occasion

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Well, for several reasons, one of which is that the story would then have been shorter and perhaps less interesting.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

by chance

From this reading Well, for several reasons, one of which is that the story would then have been shorter and perhaps less interesting.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something

From this reading Another is that, though it is true I had good cause to suppose the man in hiding to be James Mullen, I had no actual proof of his identity.

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Well, for several reasons, one of which is that the story would then have been shorter and perhaps less interesting.

free from harm or evil

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

filled with satisfaction

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

one who is employed to saw wood

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Well, for several reasons, one of which is that the story would then have been shorter and perhaps less interesting.

comparative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading Well, for several reasons, one of which is that the story would then have been shorter and perhaps less interesting.

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 Well, for several reasons, one of which is that the story would then have been shorter and perhaps less interesting.

express a supposition

From this reading Another is that, though it is true I had good cause to suppose the man in hiding to be James Mullen, I had no actual proof of his identity.

-ing form of “suspect” — imagine to be the case or true or probable

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

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

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Well, for several reasons, one of which is that the story would then have been shorter and perhaps less interesting.

in or at that place or location

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Another is that, though it is true I had good cause to suppose the man in hiding to be James Mullen, I had no actual proof of his identity.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

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

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

male cat

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading Another is that, though it is true I had good cause to suppose the man in hiding to be James Mullen, I had no actual proof of his identity.

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

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

(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 Well, for several reasons, one of which is that the story would then have been shorter and perhaps less interesting.

at the time that

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

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

From this reading Well, for several reasons, one of which is that the story would then have been shorter and perhaps less interesting.

which person or people

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

a shed for storing firewood or garden tools

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

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

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

performs some wicked deed

From this reading Why go to work like Tom Sawyer in ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ who, when he wished to rescue Jim the nigger from the woodshed, must needs make a seven days’ job of it, and dig the poor wretch out, when it would have been an easy matter to abstract the key and let him out through the door?”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading I BOARD THE “CUBAN QUEEN” FOR THE SECOND TIME “But when you had satisfied yourself that there _was_ a man in hiding on the ‘Cuban Queen,’” says the reader, “and when you had every reason for suspecting that man to be Mullen, why not at once arrest him?