Chapter VI

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

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

(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 When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

a quantity of money

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading It was not long before inspiration came to him, and when it did he summoned another meeting of the committee.

any thing at all

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At that meeting he gravely proposed that Mortomley should be invited to bid for the remaining book debts, the books, and his discharge.

an agent who conducts an auction

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was not long before inspiration came to him, and when it did he summoned another meeting of the committee.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

propose a payment

From this reading At that meeting he gravely proposed that Mortomley should be invited to bid for the remaining book debts, the books, and his discharge.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading At that meeting he gravely proposed that Mortomley should be invited to bid for the remaining book debts, the books, and his discharge.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading At that meeting he gravely proposed that Mortomley should be invited to bid for the remaining book debts, the books, and his discharge.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

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

From this reading It was not long before inspiration came to him, and when it did he summoned another meeting of the committee.

plural of “cart” — a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

put or send forth

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

a special group delegated to consider some matter

From this reading It was not long before inspiration came to him, and when it did he summoned another meeting of the committee.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

plural of “debt” — the state of owing something (especially money)

From this reading At that meeting he gravely proposed that Mortomley should be invited to bid for the remaining book debts, the books, and his discharge.

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

From this reading It was not long before inspiration came to him, and when it did he summoned another meeting of the committee.

complete or carry out

From this reading At that meeting he gravely proposed that Mortomley should be invited to bid for the remaining book debts, the books, and his discharge.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

in a grave and sober manner

From this reading At that meeting he gravely proposed that Mortomley should be invited to bid for the remaining book debts, the books, and his discharge.

neat and smart in appearance; well cared for

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

enclosed in the same envelope or package

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity

From this reading It was not long before inspiration came to him, and when it did he summoned another meeting of the committee.

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading At that meeting he gravely proposed that Mortomley should be invited to bid for the remaining book debts, the books, and his discharge.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not long before inspiration came to him, and when it did he summoned another meeting of the committee.

the liquid part that can be extracted from plant or animal tissue by squeezing or cooking

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading It was not long before inspiration came to him, and when it did he summoned another meeting of the committee.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

female equine animal

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading It was not long before inspiration came to him, and when it did he summoned another meeting of the committee.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

a form of address for a man

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

not any; not one

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not long before inspiration came to him, and when it did he summoned another meeting of the committee.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

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

From this reading SAUVE QUI PEUT.

put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

plural of “price” — the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading At that meeting he gravely proposed that Mortomley should be invited to bid for the remaining book debts, the books, and his discharge.

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

From this reading SAUVE QUI PEUT.

not used up

From this reading At that meeting he gravely proposed that Mortomley should be invited to bid for the remaining book debts, the books, and his discharge.

past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

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

From this reading SAUVE QUI PEUT.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading At that meeting he gravely proposed that Mortomley should be invited to bid for the remaining book debts, the books, and his discharge.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

disposed of to a purchaser

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

past form of “spill” — cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

past form of “squeeze” — to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court

From this reading It was not long before inspiration came to him, and when it did he summoned another meeting of the committee.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

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

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

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

From this reading It was not long before inspiration came to him, and when it did he summoned another meeting of the committee.

at the time that

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

which person or people

From this reading When Mr. Swanland had sold off all the plant of Homewood, and got the best prices he could for Mortomley's carts and horses, Black Bess included, who had for months been so badly groomed that the auctioneer entered her as "One Brown Mare, Black Bess,"--he began to cast about him how anything more could be got out of Mortomley.

the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading He knew he had about squeezed the orange dry, but he knew a considerable amount of juice had been lost--through "no fault of his own,"--and he consequently set his wits to work to see how that spilled liquor could be replaced.