Chapter XV

be able to spare or give up

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading He was already thinking hard as to what they should do.

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

From this reading “Oh, Frank, are you sure?”

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

From this reading He was already thinking hard as to what they should do.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He was already thinking hard as to what they should do.

past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate

From this reading “Out of gas?” echoed the tall youth.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity

From this reading “Out of gas!” muttered Frank, though his reply was mechanical.

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

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading He was already thinking hard as to what they should do.

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

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

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

From this reading “Out of gas!” muttered Frank, though his reply was mechanical.

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

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

tall and thin and having long slender limbs

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices

From this reading “Out of gas!” muttered Frank, though his reply was mechanical.

and nothing more

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

From this reading “Out of gas!” muttered Frank, though his reply was mechanical.

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

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading “Oh, Frank, are you sure?”

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading “Out of gas!” muttered Frank, though his reply was mechanical.

accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading “Out of gas!” muttered Frank, though his reply was mechanical.

acting with a specific goal

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He was already thinking hard as to what they should do.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading “Oh, Frank, are you sure?”

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading “Out of gas?” echoed the tall youth.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

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

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

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

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading He was already thinking hard as to what they should do.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

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

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

a source of difficulty

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

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

From this reading “Out of gas!” muttered Frank, though his reply was mechanical.

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

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He was already thinking hard as to what they should do.

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

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

at the time that

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

which person or people

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading SCHEMING VOICES IN THE NIGHT “What’s the matter?” asked Lanky, who, though he had been much with Frank, failed to recognize the kind of trouble, but merely knew that they were in trouble when they could least afford it.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Oh, Frank, are you sure?”

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading “Out of gas?” echoed the tall youth.