Chapter III

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

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

later than; following

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

Having no one else present.

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

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

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

at or in or to any place

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

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

From this reading “Who are we to have, Clare?--let us hear.

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

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive (especially of a tumor)

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

a youthful male person

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

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

From this reading “Who are we to have, Clare?--let us hear.

a dark purplish-red color

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

the appearance conveyed by a person's face

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

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

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

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

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

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

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

a room used for dining

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

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

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

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

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

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

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

divisible by two

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

start firing a weapon

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

diffusing warmth and friendliness

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

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

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Who are we to have, Clare?--let us hear.

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

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

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

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading “Who are we to have, Clare?--let us hear.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

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

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

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

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

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

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

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

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

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

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “Who are we to have, Clare?--let us hear.

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

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

a form of address for a man

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

come to pass

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

in a parenthetical manner

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

loss of bits of outer skin by peeling or shedding or coming off in scales

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

a range horse of the western United States

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

To recall to mind.

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

plural of “responsibility” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

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

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

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

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

express a supposition

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

carry out

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

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

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were not enough of us to separate at that genial hour, especially as little Derwent sat between us peeling his orange, and quite ready to give his opinion on any knotty point that might occur.

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

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

up to a particular time

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

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

From this reading “Who are we to have, Clare?--let us hear.

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

From this reading “Who are we to have, Clare?--let us hear.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

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

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “Who are we to have, Clare?--let us hear.

past form of “weigh” — have a certain weight

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

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

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

at the time that

From this reading When we were alone I gave Mr. Crofton’s claret my benign countenance till he was ready to go with me to the drawing-room.

which person or people

From this reading “Who are we to have, Clare?--let us hear.

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

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

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

From this reading “Papa, please give Willie Sedgwick the little grey pony,” said Derwie, “to ride when he’s here; he says his papa will never let him take his horse anywhere with him--there’s such a lot of children,” added my boy, parenthetically, with some pity and contempt.

in the company of; together with

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You don’t suppose that my mind, weighed down with the responsibilities of law-making, can remember everything, eh?--even my wife’s guests?” said Derwent, rubbing his hands, as we sat after dinner near the fire in the warm crimson dining-room.