Chapter XX

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

From this reading He almost ran down the hall and turned the knob of Number 220.

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

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

later than; following

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

anew

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He almost ran down the hall and turned the knob of Number 220.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

in addition

From this reading He, too, avoided the desk and also saved the elevator boy the trouble of taking him upstairs.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

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

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading He stopped in front of the hotel and looked furtively around and then, evidently seeing nothing disconcerting, he darted within.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading He, too, avoided the desk and also saved the elevator boy the trouble of taking him upstairs.

damaged by blows or hard usage

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

a youthful male person

From this reading He, too, avoided the desk and also saved the elevator boy the trouble of taking him upstairs.

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

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

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

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

past form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading He stopped in front of the hotel and looked furtively around and then, evidently seeing nothing disconcerting, he darted within.

a felt hat that is round and hard with a narrow brim

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading He, too, avoided the desk and also saved the elevator boy the trouble of taking him upstairs.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

causing an emotional disturbance

From this reading He stopped in front of the hotel and looked furtively around and then, evidently seeing nothing disconcerting, he darted within.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He almost ran down the hall and turned the knob of Number 220.

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

lifting device consisting of a platform or cage that is raised and lowered mechanically in a vertical shaft in order to move people from one floor to another in a building

From this reading He, too, avoided the desk and also saved the elevator boy the trouble of taking him upstairs.

past form of “enact” — order by virtue of superior authority; decree

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

past form of “ensconce” — fix firmly

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading He stopped in front of the hotel and looked furtively around and then, evidently seeing nothing disconcerting, he darted within.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading He stopped in front of the hotel and looked furtively around and then, evidently seeing nothing disconcerting, he darted within.

in a furtive manner

From this reading He stopped in front of the hotel and looked furtively around and then, evidently seeing nothing disconcerting, he darted within.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading He almost ran down the hall and turned the knob of Number 220.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

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

From this reading He stopped in front of the hotel and looked furtively around and then, evidently seeing nothing disconcerting, he darted within.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

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

From this reading He, too, avoided the desk and also saved the elevator boy the trouble of taking him upstairs.

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

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

moving with great haste

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

a circular rounded projection or protuberance

From this reading He almost ran down the hall and turned the knob of Number 220.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading He stopped in front of the hotel and looked furtively around and then, evidently seeing nothing disconcerting, he darted within.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He stopped in front of the hotel and looked furtively around and then, evidently seeing nothing disconcerting, he darted within.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading He almost ran down the hall and turned the knob of Number 220.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading He almost ran down the hall and turned the knob of Number 220.

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

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading He, too, avoided the desk and also saved the elevator boy the trouble of taking him upstairs.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading He stopped in front of the hotel and looked furtively around and then, evidently seeing nothing disconcerting, he darted within.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

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

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading He stopped in front of the hotel and looked furtively around and then, evidently seeing nothing disconcerting, he darted within.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading He, too, avoided the desk and also saved the elevator boy the trouble of taking him upstairs.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He stopped in front of the hotel and looked furtively around and then, evidently seeing nothing disconcerting, he darted within.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading He, too, avoided the desk and also saved the elevator boy the trouble of taking him upstairs.

a source of difficulty

From this reading He, too, avoided the desk and also saved the elevator boy the trouble of taking him upstairs.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading He almost ran down the hall and turned the knob of Number 220.

thick woolen fabric used for clothing; originated in Scotland

From this reading About fifteen minutes after Cheatham and his companion left the hotel a rough-looking man in a tweed suit and battered derby came slinking along the street.

on a floor above

From this reading He, too, avoided the desk and also saved the elevator boy the trouble of taking him upstairs.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

in the company of; together with

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading He stopped in front of the hotel and looked furtively around and then, evidently seeing nothing disconcerting, he darted within.

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

From this reading MISS FITCHET IS SURPRISED If after Josie left the Hotel Haddon with little Philip she had again ensconced herself in the ladies’ parlor of the Alpha, at the window overlooking the street, instead of hurrying off as she did to the station, she would have seen an interesting drama enacted.