Chapter VIII

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

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

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

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

to come to rest, settle

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

(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 And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

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

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

riding without a saddle

From this reading Presently the little boys would come out in the dusk of the evening, bareback to herd the ponies through the pasture gate, and scamper back barefoot to the house in time for supper.

without shoes

From this reading Presently the little boys would come out in the dusk of the evening, bareback to herd the ponies through the pasture gate, and scamper back barefoot to the house in time for supper.

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

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

cattle that are reared for their meat

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

terminate

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

past form of “bunch” — form into a bunch

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

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

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

a place of worship that has its own altar

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

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

From this reading Presently the little boys would come out in the dusk of the evening, bareback to herd the ponies through the pasture gate, and scamper back barefoot to the house in time for supper.

an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

travel across or pass over

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

the first light of day

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading Presently the little boys would come out in the dusk of the evening, bareback to herd the ponies through the pasture gate, and scamper back barefoot to the house in time for supper.

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

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

the act of consuming food

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Presently the little boys would come out in the dusk of the evening, bareback to herd the ponies through the pasture gate, and scamper back barefoot to the house in time for supper.

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

the motion made by flapping up and down

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading Presently the little boys would come out in the dusk of the evening, bareback to herd the ponies through the pasture gate, and scamper back barefoot to the house in time for supper.

United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

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

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

plural of “guitar” — a stringed instrument usually having six strings; played by strumming or plucking

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans

From this reading Presently the little boys would come out in the dusk of the evening, bareback to herd the ponies through the pasture gate, and scamper back barefoot to the house in time for supper.

a sacred place of pilgrimage

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

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

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

full of or producing joy

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

immediately past

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

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

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

come together

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

mix together different elements

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

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

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

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

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

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

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock

From this reading Presently the little boys would come out in the dusk of the evening, bareback to herd the ponies through the pasture gate, and scamper back barefoot to the house in time for supper.

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

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

measure the depth of something

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

a sharp explosive sound as from a gunshot or drawing a cork

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

in the near future

From this reading Presently the little boys would come out in the dusk of the evening, bareback to herd the ponies through the pasture gate, and scamper back barefoot to the house in time for supper.

plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

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

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

rushing about hastily in an undignified way

From this reading Presently the little boys would come out in the dusk of the evening, bareback to herd the ponies through the pasture gate, and scamper back barefoot to the house in time for supper.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

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

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

having or making a high-pitched sound such as that made by a mouse or a rusty hinge

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

resistant to change of position or condition

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading Presently the little boys would come out in the dusk of the evening, bareback to herd the ponies through the pasture gate, and scamper back barefoot to the house in time for supper.

-ing form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

shedding tears

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

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

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

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

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Presently the little boys would come out in the dusk of the evening, bareback to herd the ponies through the pasture gate, and scamper back barefoot to the house in time for supper.

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

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

unsteady in gait as from infirmity or old age

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

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

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

the act of signaling by a movement of the hand

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

accept gladly

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

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

From this reading All night long the lamps were alight in the great hall, the guitars a-strumming, and young feet dancing, and last, at the break of dawn, the chapel bell would call for early mass.

at the time that

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE It used to be a great sight down at Holy Cross when the _vaqueros_ came back from the round-up, serapes flapping in the wind, hats waving, guns popping, ponies tearing around, and eating up the ground.

plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.

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

From this reading So they would mix up, crowd through the gates, and on the stable court to see a beef shot for the feast.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading And then the house folk came swarming out to meet them, the little boys and dogs in a shouting heap, the girls bunched together and squealing, the young wives laughing, the old mothers, the tottering granddads, all plumb joyful to welcome the riders home.