Chapter X · Chapter 10

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

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading "A year ago, mama, we should not have admitted Mr. Boult's Manchester man to the same table with us.

anew

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

in the past

From this reading "A year ago, mama, we should not have admitted Mr. Boult's Manchester man to the same table with us.

(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 The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

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

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

possessive form of “arm” — a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

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

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

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

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Bessie, who had treated him with a carefully masked hauteur in the beginning, was among the first to place him on terms of easy familiarity.

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

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

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

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

a tenant in someone's house

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

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

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Bessie, who had treated him with a carefully masked hauteur in the beginning, was among the first to place him on terms of easy familiarity.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

cut into pieces

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

acting as or providing a complement (something that completes the whole)

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

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

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

worth having or seeking or achieving

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Bessie, who had treated him with a carefully masked hauteur in the beginning, was among the first to place him on terms of easy familiarity.

divisible by two

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading Bessie, who had treated him with a carefully masked hauteur in the beginning, was among the first to place him on terms of easy familiarity.

a social unit living together

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Bessie, who had treated him with a carefully masked hauteur in the beginning, was among the first to place him on terms of easy familiarity.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

utensil with sharp perforations for shredding foods (as vegetables or cheese)

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

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

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors

From this reading Bessie, who had treated him with a carefully masked hauteur in the beginning, was among the first to place him on terms of easy familiarity.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

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

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

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

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

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

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

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

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

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

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

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

From this reading Bessie, who had treated him with a carefully masked hauteur in the beginning, was among the first to place him on terms of easy familiarity.

the state of being included

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

a distinct part that can be specified separately in a group of things that could be enumerated on a list

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

past form of “joke” — tell a joke; speak humorously

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

informal terms for a mother

From this reading "A year ago, mama, we should not have admitted Mr. Boult's Manchester man to the same table with us.

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

From this reading "A year ago, mama, we should not have admitted Mr. Boult's Manchester man to the same table with us.

largest city in New Hampshire; located in southeastern New Hampshire on the Merrimack river

From this reading "A year ago, mama, we should not have admitted Mr. Boult's Manchester man to the same table with us.

having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading

From this reading Bessie, who had treated him with a carefully masked hauteur in the beginning, was among the first to place him on terms of easy familiarity.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

spiced mixture of chopped raisins and apples and other ingredients with or without meat

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

a form of address for a man

From this reading "A year ago, mama, we should not have admitted Mr. Boult's Manchester man to the same table with us.

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

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "A year ago, mama, we should not have admitted Mr. Boult's Manchester man to the same table with us.

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

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

East Indian tree widely cultivated in the tropics for its aromatic seed; source of two spices: nutmeg and mace

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Bessie, who had treated him with a carefully masked hauteur in the beginning, was among the first to place him on terms of easy familiarity.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Bessie, who had treated him with a carefully masked hauteur in the beginning, was among the first to place him on terms of easy familiarity.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

plural of “peculiarity” — an odd or unusual characteristic

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

full of fun and high spirits

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

in the near future

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

a feeling of self-respect and personal worth

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

past form of “resent” — feel bitter or indignant about

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

Identical; not different.

From this reading "A year ago, mama, we should not have admitted Mr. Boult's Manchester man to the same table with us.

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

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "A year ago, mama, we should not have admitted Mr. Boult's Manchester man to the same table with us.

a feeling of fear of embarrassment

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

with strength or in a strong manner

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

the activity of supplying or providing something

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

carry out

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

status with respect to the relations between people or groups

From this reading Bessie, who had treated him with a carefully masked hauteur in the beginning, was among the first to place him on terms of easy familiarity.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

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

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

in or at that place or location

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

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

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

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

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent

From this reading Bessie, who had treated him with a carefully masked hauteur in the beginning, was among the first to place him on terms of easy familiarity.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "A year ago, mama, we should not have admitted Mr. Boult's Manchester man to the same table with us.

with valor; in a valiant manner

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

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

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "A year ago, mama, we should not have admitted Mr. Boult's Manchester man to the same table with us.

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

very cordial

From this reading She had strongly resented the inclusion of a stranger in their family circle, and presently was welcoming his presence there as supplying the one item of interest in the _ménage_.

which person or people

From this reading Bessie, who had treated him with a carefully masked hauteur in the beginning, was among the first to place him on terms of easy familiarity.

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading The Attractive Bessie Having been permitted to take his place among them, and to chop material for mincemeat at their kitchen table, it was felt by them all that their boarder could never be a stranger to the widow and her children again.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

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

From this reading Through pride and through shyness they had held him at arm's length, but now that they had joked together about George Boult's peculiarities, and he had ventured with playful force to take the nutmeg grater from Bessie's weary fingers, valiantly completing her task himself, it would have been impossible, even if desirable, to return to their earlier relations.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading "A year ago, mama, we should not have admitted Mr. Boult's Manchester man to the same table with us.