Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

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

From this reading A chilly, rainy mist shrouded the country and blotted out the familiar beauty.

(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 There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

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

From this reading A chilly, rainy mist shrouded the country and blotted out the familiar beauty.

a state of deep-seated ill-will

From this reading A glance at Caesar's face brought Christopher swiftly to his side and established instantly a sense of antagonism with the visitors.

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

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

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

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading A chilly, rainy mist shrouded the country and blotted out the familiar beauty.

inflected form of “blot” — dry (ink) with blotting paper

From this reading A chilly, rainy mist shrouded the country and blotted out the familiar beauty.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading A glance at Caesar's face brought Christopher swiftly to his side and established instantly a sense of antagonism with the visitors.

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

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

possessive form of “caesar” — conqueror of Gaul and master of Italy (100-44 BC)

From this reading A glance at Caesar's face brought Christopher swiftly to his side and established instantly a sense of antagonism with the visitors.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

not characterized by emotion

From this reading A chilly, rainy mist shrouded the country and blotted out the familiar beauty.

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

Christian martyr and patron saint of travellers (3rd century)

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading A chilly, rainy mist shrouded the country and blotted out the familiar beauty.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

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

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established

From this reading A glance at Caesar's face brought Christopher swiftly to his side and established instantly a sense of antagonism with the visitors.

everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading A glance at Caesar's face brought Christopher swiftly to his side and established instantly a sense of antagonism with the visitors.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading A chilly, rainy mist shrouded the country and blotted out the familiar beauty.

very far away in space or time

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading A glance at Caesar's face brought Christopher swiftly to his side and established instantly a sense of antagonism with the visitors.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

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

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

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

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

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

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

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

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

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

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

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

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading A glance at Caesar's face brought Christopher swiftly to his side and established instantly a sense of antagonism with the visitors.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

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

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

become covered with mist

From this reading A chilly, rainy mist shrouded the country and blotted out the familiar beauty.

a form of address for a man

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

(of soil) soft and watery

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

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

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

on one occasion

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A chilly, rainy mist shrouded the country and blotted out the familiar beauty.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

a false or unsupportable quality

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

(of weather) wet by periods of rain

From this reading A chilly, rainy mist shrouded the country and blotted out the familiar beauty.

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

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

lacking in magnitude or quantity

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading A glance at Caesar's face brought Christopher swiftly to his side and established instantly a sense of antagonism with the visitors.

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

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

past form of “shroud” — cover as if with a shroud

From this reading A chilly, rainy mist shrouded the country and blotted out the familiar beauty.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading A glance at Caesar's face brought Christopher swiftly to his side and established instantly a sense of antagonism with the visitors.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

a petitioner who solicits contributions or trade or votes

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

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

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

a male human offspring

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

dependable

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

inflected form of “stride” — walk with long steps

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

a person who follows next in order

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

in a swift manner

From this reading A glance at Caesar's face brought Christopher swiftly to his side and established instantly a sense of antagonism with the visitors.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

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

From this reading A chilly, rainy mist shrouded the country and blotted out the familiar beauty.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

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

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

the starting point for a new state or experience

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

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

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

in the direction of

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

a vagrant

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

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

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

plural of “visitor” — someone who visits

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

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

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

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

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.

the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

which person or people

From this reading There were two gentlemen, one was Mr. Shakleton, the son and successor of the old solicitor who had played his part in the finding of Christopher, the other was a stout, complacent man with gold-rimmed glasses and scanty sandy hair, and all three of the occupants of the room looked towards the door as if waiting for and expecting him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He was met in the hall by a message that Mr. Aymer wanted him at once, so without waiting to change he strode away, whistling, to the West Room and came to a standstill on the threshold, finding Aymer had visitors with him.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Not a day for walking, but Christopher had chosen to tramp to a far-off corner of the estate on some pretence of business and had come back through the wet, dripping woods, burr-covered and muddy.