Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

somewhat ill or prone to illness

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

(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 Lamberti had never before been troubled by anything at all resembling what people call the supernatural, nor even by anything unaccountable.

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

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

any thing at all

From this reading Lamberti had never before been troubled by anything at all resembling what people call the supernatural, nor even by anything unaccountable.

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

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Lamberti had never before been troubled by anything at all resembling what people call the supernatural, nor even by anything unaccountable.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading In barbarous countries conspirators have practised suffering the tortures likely to be inflicted on them to extract confession.

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

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

have

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

relevant relation or interconnection

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Lamberti had never before been troubled by anything at all resembling what people call the supernatural, nor even by anything unaccountable.

behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

any cognitive content held as true

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

in bodily form

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Lamberti had never before been troubled by anything at all resembling what people call the supernatural, nor even by anything unaccountable.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

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

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

an admission of misdeeds or faults

From this reading In barbarous countries conspirators have practised suffering the tortures likely to be inflicted on them to extract confession.

plural of “conspirator” — a member of a conspiracy

From this reading In barbarous countries conspirators have practised suffering the tortures likely to be inflicted on them to extract confession.

plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading In barbarous countries conspirators have practised suffering the tortures likely to be inflicted on them to extract confession.

represented in words especially with sharpness and detail

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

characterized by great determination

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

plural of “disease” — an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

having the place or position changed

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

divisible by two

From this reading Lamberti had never before been troubled by anything at all resembling what people call the supernatural, nor even by anything unaccountable.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

remove, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense

From this reading In barbarous countries conspirators have practised suffering the tortures likely to be inflicted on them to extract confession.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

made afraid

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

an established custom

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

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

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

used of persons; emotionally hardened

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

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

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

continually recurring to the mind

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

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

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

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

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

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

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

plural of “ill” — an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

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

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

past form of “inflict” — impose something unpleasant

From this reading In barbarous countries conspirators have practised suffering the tortures likely to be inflicted on them to extract confession.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

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

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

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

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

plural of “laugh” — the sound of laughing

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading In barbarous countries conspirators have practised suffering the tortures likely to be inflicted on them to extract confession.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

engage in

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

the force of workers available

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

subject to death

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Lamberti had never before been troubled by anything at all resembling what people call the supernatural, nor even by anything unaccountable.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In barbarous countries conspirators have practised suffering the tortures likely to be inflicted on them to extract confession.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

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

From this reading Lamberti had never before been troubled by anything at all resembling what people call the supernatural, nor even by anything unaccountable.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

skillful after much practice

From this reading In barbarous countries conspirators have practised suffering the tortures likely to be inflicted on them to extract confession.

get or find back; recover the use of

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

-ing form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to

From this reading Lamberti had never before been troubled by anything at all resembling what people call the supernatural, nor even by anything unaccountable.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

a state of acute pain

From this reading In barbarous countries conspirators have practised suffering the tortures likely to be inflicted on them to extract confession.

supernatural forces and events and beings collectively

From this reading Lamberti had never before been troubled by anything at all resembling what people call the supernatural, nor even by anything unaccountable.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

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

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading In barbarous countries conspirators have practised suffering the tortures likely to be inflicted on them to extract confession.

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

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

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

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

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

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

plural of “torture” — extreme mental distress

From this reading In barbarous countries conspirators have practised suffering the tortures likely to be inflicted on them to extract confession.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Bearing bodily pain is a mere matter of habit, as every one knows who has had to bear much, or who has tried it as an experiment.

characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need

From this reading Lamberti had never before been troubled by anything at all resembling what people call the supernatural, nor even by anything unaccountable.

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

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

not to be accounted for or explained

From this reading Lamberti had never before been troubled by anything at all resembling what people call the supernatural, nor even by anything unaccountable.

precisely as stated

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It is not strange that Cecilia should have been much less disturbed than Lamberti by what he had described to the doctor as a possession of the devil, or a haunting.

in contrast with the fact that

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.

which person or people

From this reading Men who have never been ailing in their lives sometimes behave like frightened children if they fall ill, though the ailment may not be very serious, whereas a hardened old invalid, determined to make the best of life in spite of his ills, often laughs himself into the belief that he can recover from the two or three mortal diseases that have hold of him.