Chapter XXIX · Chapter 29

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

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

anew

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

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

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading “Say, don't you know any better than to keep dried apples where a boy can get hold of them when he has got the mumps?

fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

plural of “apple” — fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

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

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading “Say, don't you know any better than to keep dried apples where a boy can get hold of them when he has got the mumps?

a youthful male person

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading The boy caught his breath and then said:

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “Say, don't you know any better than to keep dried apples where a boy can get hold of them when he has got the mumps?

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading The boy caught his breath and then said:

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

cut open or cut apart

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

having one or more indentations reaching nearly to the midrib

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

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

From this reading “Say, don't you know any better than to keep dried apples where a boy can get hold of them when he has got the mumps?

not still wet

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

the act of consuming liquids

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “Say, don't you know any better than to keep dried apples where a boy can get hold of them when he has got the mumps?

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

a marketplace where groceries are sold

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

a small number or amount

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

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

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

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

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

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

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

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

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading “Say, don't you know any better than to keep dried apples where a boy can get hold of them when he has got the mumps?

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

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

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading “Say, don't you know any better than to keep dried apples where a boy can get hold of them when he has got the mumps?

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading “Say, don't you know any better than to keep dried apples where a boy can get hold of them when he has got the mumps?

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

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

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

relating to the study or practice of medicine

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

plural of “misery” — a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

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

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

an acute contagious viral disease characterized by fever and by swelling of the parotid glands

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

not any; not one

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

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

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

plural of “pickle” — vegetables (especially cucumbers) preserved in brine or vinegar

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The boy caught his breath and then said:

rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

express in words

From this reading “Say, don't you know any better than to keep dried apples where a boy can get hold of them when he has got the mumps?

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

a thin straight surgical knife used in dissection and surgery

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading “Say, don't you know any better than to keep dried apples where a boy can get hold of them when he has got the mumps?

express gratitude or show appreciation to

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

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

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading “Say, don't you know any better than to keep dried apples where a boy can get hold of them when he has got the mumps?

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

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

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

hard to endure

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

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

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

at the time that

From this reading “Say, don't you know any better than to keep dried apples where a boy can get hold of them when he has got the mumps?

in or at the place that

From this reading “Say, don't you know any better than to keep dried apples where a boy can get hold of them when he has got the mumps?

a liquor made from fermented mash of grain

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading The boy ate a dried apple and then made up a terrible face, and the grocery man asked him what he was trying to do with his face.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading HIS PA DISSECTED--THE MISERIES OP THE MUMPS--NO PICKLES THANK YOU--ONE MORE EFFORT TO REFORM THE OLD MAN--THE BAD BOY PLAYS MEDICAL STUDENT--PROCEEDS TO DISSECT HIS PA-- “GENTLEMEN I AM NOT DEAD!”--SAVED FROM THE SCALPEL!--“NO MORE WHISKY FOR YOU.”

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading “I understand your Pa has got to drinking again like a fish,” says the grocery man to the bad boy, as the youth came in the grocery and took a handful of dried apples.