Chapter X · A Plot That Failed

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

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

later than; following

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading Mark stood aghast, and the judge continued:

in addition

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

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

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

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

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

the act of putting a person into a non-elective position

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

a job in an organization

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

a military trainee (as at a military academy)

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

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

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

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

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

say something to someone that expresses praise

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

without stop or interruption

From this reading Mark stood aghast, and the judge continued:

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

-ing form of “escort” — accompany as an escort

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)

From this reading “Yes, sir, I have orders to report for examination, but I wished to keep it secret, for I may fail, you know, sir.”

fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading “Yes, sir, I have orders to report for examination, but I wished to keep it secret, for I may fail, you know, sir.”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

set up or found

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

a man of refinement

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

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

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Yes, sir, I have orders to report for examination, but I wished to keep it secret, for I may fail, you know, sir.”

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

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

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

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

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

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

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

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

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

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

determine the result of (a competition)

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

and nothing more

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading “Yes, sir, I have orders to report for examination, but I wished to keep it secret, for I may fail, you know, sir.”

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, I have orders to report for examination, but I wished to keep it secret, for I may fail, you know, sir.”

plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

an accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

plural of “mail” — the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

attach a tag or label to

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “Yes, sir, I have orders to report for examination, but I wished to keep it secret, for I may fail, you know, sir.”

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

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

possessive form of “midshipman” — a temporary rank held by young naval officers in training

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

United States bandleader of a popular big band (1909-1944)

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

a form of address for a man

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

connected with or belonging to or used in a navy

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

not any; not one

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

having official authority or sanction

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

many times at short intervals

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading “Yes, sir, I have orders to report for examination, but I wished to keep it secret, for I may fail, you know, sir.”

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading “Yes, sir, I have orders to report for examination, but I wished to keep it secret, for I may fail, you know, sir.”

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

an educational institution

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “Yes, sir, I have orders to report for examination, but I wished to keep it secret, for I may fail, you know, sir.”

plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

get by special effort

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

term of address for a man

From this reading “Yes, sir, I have orders to report for examination, but I wished to keep it secret, for I may fail, you know, sir.”

a male human offspring

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

not in physical motion

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Mark stood aghast, and the judge continued:

express a supposition

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

required or under orders

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

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

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

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

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

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

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

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

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

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

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

(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, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

at the time that

From this reading Secrets often leak out of a country post office, just how no one knows, but still they do, and when Mark called upon Judge Miller after arriving in B----, and escorting Virgene home, that gentleman said:

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading “Yes, sir, I have orders to report for examination, but I wished to keep it secret, for I may fail, you know, sir.”

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading “Mr. Clemmons told me his son Scott had received an appointment, and that a like official looking document had come through the mails for you, and he supposed it was also a cadet midshipman’s berth in our navy, though he wondered how you had obtained, without influence, what he had found no easy task to secure for his son.”

an affirmative

From this reading “Yes, sir, I have orders to report for examination, but I wished to keep it secret, for I may fail, you know, sir.”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”

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

From this reading “Well, my young friend, I suppose I am to congratulate you upon receiving an appointment to the naval school, and I am glad of it.”