Chapter I

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

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

anew

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

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

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

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

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

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

From this reading It has great promise, and though its texture is slight its fibres are of steel.

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

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

a cynical feeling of distrust

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

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

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint

From this reading He is one of the most discreet dissectors of the human heart we have.

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

From this reading He is one of the most discreet dissectors of the human heart we have.

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

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

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

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

the process of bubbling as gas escapes

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

attracting or delighting

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

plural of “fibre” — a slender and greatly elongated substance capable of being spun into yarn

From this reading It has great promise, and though its texture is slight its fibres are of steel.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

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

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

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

From this reading It has great promise, and though its texture is slight its fibres are of steel.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

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

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He is one of the most discreet dissectors of the human heart we have.

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

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading He is one of the most discreet dissectors of the human heart we have.

comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

(usually plural) the state of having reflex spasms of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound; sometimes a symptom of indigestion

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

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

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

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

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading He is one of the most discreet dissectors of the human heart we have.

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

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

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

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

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

From this reading It has great promise, and though its texture is slight its fibres are of steel.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

and nothing more

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

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

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

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

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

(Old Testament) the Hebrew prophet who led the Israelites from Egypt across the Red sea on a journey known as the Exodus; Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

used to form the superlative

From this reading He is one of the most discreet dissectors of the human heart we have.

a form of address for a man

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

in ancient Greek mythology any of 9 daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne; protector of an art or science

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

not any; not one

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He is one of the most discreet dissectors of the human heart we have.

plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading It has great promise, and though its texture is slight its fibres are of steel.

third-person singular of “provoke” — call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

a person who enjoys reading

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

To recall to mind.

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

an earnest and sincere feeling

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading It has great promise, and though its texture is slight its fibres are of steel.

an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range

From this reading It has great promise, and though its texture is slight its fibres are of steel.

rousing or quickening activity or the senses

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

a gambling card game in which chips are placed on the ace and king and queen and jack of separate suits (taken from a separate deck)

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

comparative of “sure” — having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

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

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

the feel of a surface or a fabric

From this reading It has great promise, and though its texture is slight its fibres are of steel.

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

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It has great promise, and though its texture is slight its fibres are of steel.

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

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

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

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

in the nature of something though not readily apparent

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

plural of “volume” — the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

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

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading He is one of the most discreet dissectors of the human heart we have.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Reading it again in the light of my appreciation of what its author has done since, I think of it now as I felt of it then.

in or at the place that

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.

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

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

in the company of; together with

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

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

From this reading My first acquaintance with Mr. Merrick's engaging and stimulating muse was made in the pages of _Violet Moses_, an early work, which appeared, I remember, in three volumes.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading It shows the light hand, which has grown no heavier, though it has grown surer, the little effervescence of cynicism, with never a hiccough in it, the underlying, deeply-funded sympathy with real things, great things and fine things, and the seriousness of aim which, tantalisingly, stops short just where you want it to go on, and provokes the reader to get every book of Mr. Merrick's as it appears, just to see him let himself go--which he never does.