Chapter IX · Pro and Con

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

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

of the greatest importance

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

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

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading For the benefit of any young men who may be similarly situated, we give a portion of his reasoning, as follows:

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

From this reading For the benefit of any young men who may be similarly situated, we give a portion of his reasoning, as follows:

the verbal act of requesting

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading For the benefit of any young men who may be similarly situated, we give a portion of his reasoning, as follows:

third-person singular of “behoove” — be appropriate or necessary

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

financial assistance in time of need

From this reading For the benefit of any young men who may be similarly situated, we give a portion of his reasoning, as follows:

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

the two together, not just one

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

an occurrence of something

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

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

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

plural of “con” — an argument opposed to a proposal

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

deem to be

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

the state of being suitable or opportune

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

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

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

placed crosswise

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

recognizable; marked

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

the cognitive process of reaching a decision

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

a small wooded hollow

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

a licensed medical practitioner

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

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

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

remove completely from recognition or memory

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

one or the other of two

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading For the benefit of any young men who may be similarly situated, we give a portion of his reasoning, as follows:

plural of “footprint” — a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

a young female

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading For the benefit of any young men who may be similarly situated, we give a portion of his reasoning, as follows:

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

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

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

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

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

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

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

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

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

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

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

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

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

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

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

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

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

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

plural of “intruder” — someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

third-person singular of “involve” — connect closely and often incriminatingly

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

and nothing more

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

immediately past

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

the act of departing

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

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

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

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

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

plural of “marriage” — the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

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

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

the force of workers available

From this reading For the benefit of any young men who may be similarly situated, we give a portion of his reasoning, as follows:

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

used to form the superlative

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

past form of “narrate” — provide commentary for a film, for example

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

a condition requiring relief

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

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

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

on one occasion

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

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

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

above and across; more than

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

a bundle of myelinated nerve fibers following a path through the brain

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading For the benefit of any young men who may be similarly situated, we give a portion of his reasoning, as follows:

characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

plural of “pro” — an athlete who plays for pay

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

be shown or be found to be

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

free of extraneous elements of any kind

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

thinking that is coherent and logical

From this reading For the benefit of any young men who may be similarly situated, we give a portion of his reasoning, as follows:

in the recent past

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

-ing form of “revolve” — turn on or around an axis or a center

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

in like or similar manner

From this reading For the benefit of any young men who may be similarly situated, we give a portion of his reasoning, as follows:

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading For the benefit of any young men who may be similarly situated, we give a portion of his reasoning, as follows:

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

the season of growth

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

coming after or following

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

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

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

United States classical archaeologist (born in Canada) noted for leading the excavation of the Athenian agora (1906-2000)

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading To be sure, if I follow the bent of my inclination, I am decided at once; but then, marriages of convenience sometimes prove just as pleasant as those of pure love; and so I’ll go over with the _pros_ and _cons_ of both, deciding upon the one which has the most of the former!

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

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

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

From this reading On a pleasant May morning, in the spring succeeding the events narrated in the last chapter, the door of Dr. Clayton’s office was locked against all intruders.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading For the benefit of any young men who may be similarly situated, we give a portion of his reasoning, as follows:

(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 “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

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

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

during the time that

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

which person or people

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading “Now, I am as positive as a man need be that I can have either of them for the asking; therefore, in a case which involves the happiness of one’s whole life, it behooves me to consider the matter well.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

a late time of life

From this reading The shutters were closed; while within, with his feet upon a table and his hands clasped over his head, the doctor himself was revolving the all-important question—whether it were better to offer himself at once to Dell Thompson “and have it done with,” or to wait a few years for a _little girl_, who had recently crossed his pathway, leaving on his memory footprints he could not easily efface.

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

From this reading For the benefit of any young men who may be similarly situated, we give a portion of his reasoning, as follows: