Chapter XI · An Election and a Defection

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

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

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

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

the thing arranged or agreed to

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

plural of “arrangement” — the thing arranged or agreed to

From this reading Then, too, there was much to be desired—from the children’s view-point—in the arrangements for bathing.

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

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

immersing the body in water or sunshine

From this reading Then, too, there was much to be desired—from the children’s view-point—in the arrangements for bathing.

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

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

for the reason that

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

coverings that are used on a bed

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

the framework of a bed

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

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

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

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

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

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

From this reading Then, too, there was much to be desired—from the children’s view-point—in the arrangements for bathing.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

carefully weighed

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

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

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

wanted intensely

From this reading Then, too, there was much to be desired—from the children’s view-point—in the arrangements for bathing.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading They could not imagine how they were to wash their faces and hands in the same way that the Purrers did—and yet was there any other way?

causing consternation

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

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

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading They could not imagine how they were to wash their faces and hands in the same way that the Purrers did—and yet was there any other way?

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then, too, there was much to be desired—from the children’s view-point—in the arrangements for bathing.

the act of departing

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

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

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading They could not imagine how they were to wash their faces and hands in the same way that the Purrers did—and yet was there any other way?

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

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

From this reading They could not imagine how they were to wash their faces and hands in the same way that the Purrers did—and yet was there any other way?

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading They could not imagine how they were to wash their faces and hands in the same way that the Purrers did—and yet was there any other way?

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

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

an occurrence of something

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

and nothing more

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

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

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

plural of “mattress” — a large thick pad filled with resilient material and often incorporating coiled springs, used as a bed or part of a bed

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

a particular point in time

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

and nothing more

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading They could not imagine how they were to wash their faces and hands in the same way that the Purrers did—and yet was there any other way?

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

a full supply

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

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

From this reading They could not imagine how they were to wash their faces and hands in the same way that the Purrers did—and yet was there any other way?

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

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

on the contrary

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

take something away by force or without the consent of the owner

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

Identical; not different.

From this reading They could not imagine how they were to wash their faces and hands in the same way that the Purrers did—and yet was there any other way?

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

use up a period of time in a specific way

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

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

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, too, there was much to be desired—from the children’s view-point—in the arrangements for bathing.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

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

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

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

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Bedsteads, for instance, had heretofore been as much a part of their idea of night as was the setting of the sun and coming on of darkness; but, though there was plenty of soft bedding and good mattresses, or, rather, beds, of straw and leaves, there was not a bedstead in Purrington.

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

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Then, too, there was much to be desired—from the children’s view-point—in the arrangements for bathing.

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

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

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

From this reading Then, too, there was much to be desired—from the children’s view-point—in the arrangements for bathing.

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

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

clean with some chemical process

From this reading They could not imagine how they were to wash their faces and hands in the same way that the Purrers did—and yet was there any other way?

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading They could not imagine how they were to wash their faces and hands in the same way that the Purrers did—and yet was there any other way?

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

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

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

From this reading Because there really was not any arrangement for the sort of night which up to this moment Lois and Rob had considered the only kind of night which one could spend.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was just a little dismaying to the children at the close of the ball to be suddenly brought face to face with the fact that they were going to spend the night in Purrington.

but in spite of that

From this reading They could not imagine how they were to wash their faces and hands in the same way that the Purrers did—and yet was there any other way?