Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading STELLA'S ADVENTURE.

anew

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Another thing she feared was that the children would be too terrified to stay in the neighbourhood, and would wish to be taken home.

eagerly desirous

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

someone who attacks

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

make certain of

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

an indefinite time in the future

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

past form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading Another thing she feared was that the children would be too terrified to stay in the neighbourhood, and would wish to be taken home.

-ing form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

in a willing manner

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

comparative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

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

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Another thing she feared was that the children would be too terrified to stay in the neighbourhood, and would wish to be taken home.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

of the present time and place

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

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

From this reading Another thing she feared was that the children would be too terrified to stay in the neighbourhood, and would wish to be taken home.

plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

and nothing more

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

go away from a place

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

fasten with a lock

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

engage in

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

as might be expected

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading Another thing she feared was that the children would be too terrified to stay in the neighbourhood, and would wish to be taken home.

easily agitated

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

returning to health after illness or debility

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

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

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

with safety; in a safe manner

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Another thing she feared was that the children would be too terrified to stay in the neighbourhood, and would wish to be taken home.

past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading So they stayed on.

possessive form of “stella” — United States minimalist painter (born in 1936)

From this reading STELLA'S ADVENTURE.

not in physical motion

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

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

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

maintained at length without interruption or weakening

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Another thing she feared was that the children would be too terrified to stay in the neighbourhood, and would wish to be taken home.

thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation

From this reading Another thing she feared was that the children would be too terrified to stay in the neighbourhood, and would wish to be taken home.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

a special situation

From this reading Another thing she feared was that the children would be too terrified to stay in the neighbourhood, and would wish to be taken home.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Another thing she feared was that the children would be too terrified to stay in the neighbourhood, and would wish to be taken home.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

at the time that

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading Another thing she feared was that the children would be too terrified to stay in the neighbourhood, and would wish to be taken home.

plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But when by-and-by an immediate return home was suggested to them they pleaded so hard--to her great relief--to be allowed to stay, that she gladly fell in with their wishes, being anxious to leave with a happier impression of the place than that given by the fright, almost tragedy, they had just sustained.

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

From this reading Naturally, one of the first inquiries of the children on recovering was as to whether their assailant had been captured, and Mrs. Anketell was greatly troubled, fearing it would make them nervous of the place if they knew he was still at large, and she longed to be able to assure them that the man was safely under lock and key again.