Chapter XXVIII

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

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

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

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

eagerly desirous

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

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

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

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

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

curled or wound (especially in concentric rings or spirals)

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

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

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

plural of “conference” — a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

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

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

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

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

a situation in which people or things are crowded together

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

subtly skillful handling of a situation

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

brought together in one place

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

the act of departing

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

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

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

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

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

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 reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

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

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

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

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

a fricative sound (especially as an expression of disapproval)

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

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

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

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

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

past form of “hood” — cover with a hood

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

in a softened tone

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

in an imperative and commanding manner

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

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

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

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

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

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

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

held up in the air

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

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 He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

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

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

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

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

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

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

a form of address for a man

From this reading But this was not the reason why Mr. and Mrs. Sên so rarely were seen together in Hongkong.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading But this was not the reason why Mr. and Mrs. Sên so rarely were seen together in Hongkong.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

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

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

being perceived or observed

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

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

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

many times at short intervals

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

and nothing more

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

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

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

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

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

not often

From this reading But this was not the reason why Mr. and Mrs. Sên so rarely were seen together in Hongkong.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading But this was not the reason why Mr. and Mrs. Sên so rarely were seen together in Hongkong.

a transparent piece of ruby that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

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

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

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

From this reading But this was not the reason why Mr. and Mrs. Sên so rarely were seen together in Hongkong.

limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

marked by skill in deception

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

small or little relative to something else

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

with low volume

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

express in speech

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

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

From this reading But this was not the reason why Mr. and Mrs. Sên so rarely were seen together in Hongkong.

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

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

carry out

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

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

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

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

From this reading But this was not the reason why Mr. and Mrs. Sên so rarely were seen together in Hongkong.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

very small

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

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

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

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

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

precisely as stated

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

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

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

(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 He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

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

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

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

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

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

From this reading But this was not the reason why Mr. and Mrs. Sên so rarely were seen together in Hongkong.

at the time that

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

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

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading But this was not the reason why Mr. and Mrs. Sên so rarely were seen together in Hongkong.

morally bad in principle or practice

From this reading The reason lay close and well-guarded in Sên King-lo’s breast: a tiny coiled serpent that lifted its narrow hooded head now and then, meeting Sên’s eyes with sly, cold, wicked eyes, and sometimes at night hissing softly in his ear.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Ruby had not noticed that her husband had avoided going out with her in Hongkong and was avoiding it more and more; but it was so.

the words that are spoken

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.

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

From this reading He was imperatively busy now, crowding into days the work of business drive and finesse that might well have over-crowded weeks, if not months, for a less capable man.

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

From this reading He could not well take his wife to _hong_ and to counting-house, to long bank conferences that more often than not ran with a strong political under-current—the very life-blood of young China, if not of China itself—or to more secret and smaller conclaves which took place behind well-barred doors, when only two or three Chinese gathered to speak together in slow, hushed tones and anxious quiet words.