used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
Avenel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I say that you may 'prentice him in any distant town, and by and by we will stock a shop for him.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
child'snounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
conversingverbUS /kənˈvɜːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “converse” — carry on a conversation
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
DalenounUS /deɪl/
an open river valley (in a hilly area)
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
diplomaticadjectiveUS /ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk/
relating to or characteristic of diplomacy
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
discretionnounUS /dɪˈskreʃən/
freedom to act or judge on one's own
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading I say that you may 'prentice him in any distant town, and by and by we will stock a shop for him.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
evadeverbUS /ɪˈveɪd/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
exercisingnounUS /ˈeksərsaɪzɪŋ/
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
your parents
From this reading What would you have more, sir, from folks like us, who have kept shop ourselves?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading What would you have more, sir, from folks like us, who have kept shop ourselves?
yet to be or coming
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
grieveverbUS /ɡriːv/
feel grief
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
hardenedadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdənd/
used of persons; emotionally hardened
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
inviteverbUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪt/
increase the likelihood of
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
judgedverbUS /dʒʌdʒd/
past form of “judge” — determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading What would you have more, sir, from folks like us, who have kept shop ourselves?
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
manhoodnounUS /ˈmænhʊd/
the state of being a man; manly qualities
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading I say that you may 'prentice him in any distant town, and by and by we will stock a shop for him.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading What would you have more, sir, from folks like us, who have kept shop ourselves?
accept an excuse for
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
prenticenounUS /ˈprentɪs/
works for an expert to learn a trade
From this reading I say that you may 'prentice him in any distant town, and by and by we will stock a shop for him.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
provideverbUS /prəˈvaɪd/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading "I say I will provide for him.
providingverbUS /prəˈvaɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
one of four equal parts
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
To recall to mind.
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
reservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/
set aside for the use of a particular person or party
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
precisely, exactly
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
express in words
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/
from appearances alone
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
do one's shopping
From this reading I say that you may 'prentice him in any distant town, and by and by we will stock a shop for him.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
term of address for a man
From this reading What would you have more, sir, from folks like us, who have kept shop ourselves?
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
express in speech
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
speciallyadverbUS /ˈspeʃəli/
in a special manner
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading I say that you may 'prentice him in any distant town, and by and by we will stock a shop for him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading I say that you may 'prentice him in any distant town, and by and by we will stock a shop for him.
truthsnounUS /truːθs/
plural of “truth” — a fact that has been verified
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What would you have more, sir, from folks like us, who have kept shop ourselves?
vocationnounUS /voʊˈkeɪʃən/
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I say that you may 'prentice him in any distant town, and by and by we will stock a shop for him.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What would you have more, sir, from folks like us, who have kept shop ourselves?
at the time that
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
which person or people
From this reading What would you have more, sir, from folks like us, who have kept shop ourselves?
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I say I will provide for him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading You cannot say that I have not kept faith with you, but I must now invite you to remember that I specially reserved to myself the right of exercising a discretion to act as I judged best for the child's interest on any future occasion; and it was upon this understanding that you gave me the promise, which you would now evade, of providing for him when he came to manhood."
an affirmative
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Mr. Dale had been more than a quarter of an hour conversing with Mrs. Avenel, and had seemingly made little progress in the object of his diplomatic mission, for now, slowly drawing on his gloves, he said,-- "I grieve to think, Mrs. Avenel, that you should have so hardened your heart--yes, you must pardon me,--it is my vocation to speak stern truths.