Chapter XXVIII · Chapter 28

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

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

anew

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

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

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

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

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

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

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

an orderly arrangement

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

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

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

an occurrence of something

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

put or send forth

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

plural of “coil” — a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

traveling across

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

dearly loved

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

a room used for dining

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

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

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

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

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

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

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

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

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

third-person singular of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

in a joyous manner

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

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

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

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

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

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

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

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

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

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

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

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

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

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

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

attractive and tempting

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

a polite name for any woman

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

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 "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

imposing in size or bulk or solidity

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

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

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

and nothing more

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

a judge of a probate court

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

(of childbirth) before the end of the normal period of gestation

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

with speed

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

-ing form of “reclaim” — claim back

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

having a well-proportioned and pleasing shape

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

a lightweight cord

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

inflected form of “strive” — attempt by employing effort

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

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

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

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

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

the starting point for a new state or experience

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

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

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

not usual or common or ordinary

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

to a remarkable degree or extent

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading "I have a bitter thought--a snake That used to string my life to pain; I strove to cast it far away, But every night and every day It crawled back to my heart again."

a stock or supply of foods

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

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

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

in or at the place that

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "I have a case of unusual interest, dear Mrs. Belford--that explains it; at least I have stolen one from Dr. Belford, and with his ordinary kindness, he does not insist on reclaiming it."

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

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

From this reading "Well, I don't object," Mrs. Belford replied gayly, "only I hope you can manage to get through quickly, for I have an engagement for you early this afternoon, and I would not relish a disappointment in the least."

a loose dressing gown for women

From this reading The lady wore a loose dark wrapper, girdled at the waist, and her thick hair, prematurely grey, was drawn back from her large, intelligent brow, and secured in graceful coils at the back of her shapely neck.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You are unusually early this morning," said a pale, handsome woman crossing the threshold of the elegant dining-room, where the silver and crystal and tempting viands stood in inviting array on the massive table.