Chapter VI

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

From this reading But now a restlessness seemed to come over her, and she was away from home a good deal.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

later than; following

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

in the past

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

Having no one else present.

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

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

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

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

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

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

From this reading But now a restlessness seemed to come over her, and she was away from home a good deal.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

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

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But now a restlessness seemed to come over her, and she was away from home a good deal.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

plural of “call” — a telephone connection

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

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

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

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

From this reading But now a restlessness seemed to come over her, and she was away from home a good deal.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading But now a restlessness seemed to come over her, and she was away from home a good deal.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

at any time

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

your parents

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

set up or found

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But now a restlessness seemed to come over her, and she was away from home a good deal.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

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

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading But now a restlessness seemed to come over her, and she was away from home a good deal.

the mother of your father or mother

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

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

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading But now a restlessness seemed to come over her, and she was away from home a good deal.

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

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

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

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

cause to come to know personally

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

an edible jelly (sweet or pungent) made with gelatin and used as a dessert or salad base or a coating for foods

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

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 She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

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 Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

held dear

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

engage in

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

plural of “meeting” — a formally arranged gathering

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

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

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

not one, and not any

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

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

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

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

From this reading But now a restlessness seemed to come over her, and she was away from home a good deal.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

more often or more frequently

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

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

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

above and across; more than

From this reading But now a restlessness seemed to come over her, and she was away from home a good deal.

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

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

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

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

possessive form of “rachel” — (Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active

From this reading But now a restlessness seemed to come over her, and she was away from home a good deal.

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

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

From this reading But now a restlessness seemed to come over her, and she was away from home a good deal.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

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

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

in the near future

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

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

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

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

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

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

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

up to a particular time

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

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

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

up to a particular time

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

in the Protestant Episcopal Church: a committee elected by the congregation to work with the churchwardens in managing the temporal affairs of the church

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

the activity of making visits

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

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

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading HOW SHE WENT VISITING IT was after Rachel’s marriage that Grandmother first began to go about in the village.

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

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

a Caucasian

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

which person or people

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Till then she had always kept pretty much within the four walls of the Merion garden, and people thought she was proud, until they came to know her.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.

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

From this reading She did not go to “circles” and meetings—one would as soon have expected to see a white birch walk into the vestry—nor did she make what we loved to call “society calls;” but she found out the people who were sick or sad or lonely—the Peaces always knew—and she went to them, sometimes with Anne to introduce her, oftener alone, making some errand, taking a flower, or a pot of jelly or the like.

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

From this reading Old Aunt Betsy Taggart was living then, the white old woman who had taken to her bed so long ago that none of us young folks ever knew why she had done it.