Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

a church associated with a monastery or convent

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

later than; following

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

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

From this reading Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

past form of “appropriate” — give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

plural of “aristocrat” — a member of the aristocracy

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

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

From this reading Leonard made rapid strides, and learned more in those six weeks than many a cleverish boy does in twice as many months.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

a youthful male person

From this reading Leonard made rapid strides, and learned more in those six weeks than many a cleverish boy does in twice as many months.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

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

From this reading Leonard made rapid strides, and learned more in those six weeks than many a cleverish boy does in twice as many months.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

with delight

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

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

From this reading Leonard made rapid strides, and learned more in those six weeks than many a cleverish boy does in twice as many months.

increase twofold

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

being one more than seven

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

forced or compelled or put in force

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

an item inserted in a written record

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

divisible by two

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

a man of refinement

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

the branch of linguistics that deals with syntax and morphology (and sometimes also deals with semantics)

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

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

From this reading Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

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

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

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

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

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

From this reading Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

past form of “initiate” — bring into being

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

as a matter of instinct

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

of or relating to the ancient Latins or the Latin language

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

having or showing profound knowledge

From this reading Leonard made rapid strides, and learned more in those six weeks than many a cleverish boy does in twice as many months.

United States writer of thrillers (born in 1925)

From this reading Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Leonard made rapid strides, and learned more in those six weeks than many a cleverish boy does in twice as many months.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Leonard made rapid strides, and learned more in those six weeks than many a cleverish boy does in twice as many months.

an artist of consummate skill

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

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

From this reading Leonard made rapid strides, and learned more in those six weeks than many a cleverish boy does in twice as many months.

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

From this reading Leonard made rapid strides, and learned more in those six weeks than many a cleverish boy does in twice as many months.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

a son of your brother or sister

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

according to the clock

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

done or occurring in a brief period of time

From this reading Leonard made rapid strides, and learned more in those six weeks than many a cleverish boy does in twice as many months.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

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

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

an unvarying or habitual method or procedure

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

an educational institution

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

plural of “stride” — a step in walking or running

From this reading Leonard made rapid strides, and learned more in those six weeks than many a cleverish boy does in twice as many months.

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

plural of “taste” — the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Leonard made rapid strides, and learned more in those six weeks than many a cleverish boy does in twice as many months.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

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

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

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

From this reading Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

two times

From this reading Leonard made rapid strides, and learned more in those six weeks than many a cleverish boy does in twice as many months.

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

under normal conditions

From this reading These hours which Leonard devoted to study Richard usually spent from home,--sometimes at the houses of his grand acquaintances in the Abbey Gardens, sometimes in the Reading-Room appropriated to those aristocrats.

become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

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

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

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

From this reading Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

(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 Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

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

From this reading Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

which person or people

From this reading This gentleman was the head usher of a large school, who had his hours to himself after eight o’clock, and was pleased to vary the dull routine of enforced lessons by instructions to a pupil who took delightedly even to the Latin grammar.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Leonard had been about six weeks with his uncle, and those weeks were well spent.

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

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.

a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)

From this reading Mr. Richard had taken him to his counting-house, and initiated him into business and the mysteries of double entry; and in return for the young man’s readiness and zeal in matters which the acute trader instinctively felt were not exactly to his tastes, Richard engaged the best master the town afforded to read with his nephew in the evening.