(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading "That I am quite prepared to believe," he replied; "and anything you want to know, which I am able to tell, I shall be quite ready to do."
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
matters of personal concern
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
eagerly desirous
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
any thing at all
From this reading "That I am quite prepared to believe," he replied; "and anything you want to know, which I am able to tell, I shall be quite ready to do."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "That I am quite prepared to believe," he replied; "and anything you want to know, which I am able to tell, I shall be quite ready to do."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading "That I am quite prepared to believe," he replied; "and anything you want to know, which I am able to tell, I shall be quite ready to do."
the act of breaking something
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
a boy or man
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "That I am quite prepared to believe," he replied; "and anything you want to know, which I am able to tell, I shall be quite ready to do."
cause to move by pulling
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
endeavournounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
gratifyverbUS /ˈɡrætəfaɪ/
make happy or satisfied
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "That I am quite prepared to believe," he replied; "and anything you want to know, which I am able to tell, I shall be quite ready to do."
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
not in action or at work
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
offersnounUS /ˈɔːfərz/
plural of “offer” — the verbal act of offering
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
on one occasion
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
pipesnounUS /paɪps/
plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading "That I am quite prepared to believe," he replied; "and anything you want to know, which I am able to tell, I shall be quite ready to do."
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
pryverbUS /praɪ/
to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "That I am quite prepared to believe," he replied; "and anything you want to know, which I am able to tell, I shall be quite ready to do."
RangernounUS /ˈreɪndʒər/
a member of the Texas state highway patrol; formerly a mounted lawman who maintained order on the frontier
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading "That I am quite prepared to believe," he replied; "and anything you want to know, which I am able to tell, I shall be quite ready to do."
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "That I am quite prepared to believe," he replied; "and anything you want to know, which I am able to tell, I shall be quite ready to do."
express in words
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "That I am quite prepared to believe," he replied; "and anything you want to know, which I am able to tell, I shall be quite ready to do."
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
to a sufficient degree
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
express in words
From this reading "That I am quite prepared to believe," he replied; "and anything you want to know, which I am able to tell, I shall be quite ready to do."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
troublingadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəlɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "That I am quite prepared to believe," he replied; "and anything you want to know, which I am able to tell, I shall be quite ready to do."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Well, the very next opportunity that offers I will endeavour to draw him out."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Not many days after this conversation had taken place, Ranger was seated with Fellows, at the close of the day’s labour, outside the house, smoking their pipes, which seemed to offer the opportunity the former was waiting for.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Breaking the silence which had reigned for some time, Ranger started by saying— "Look here, Fellows, you have been here now sufficiently long to know that I am not the sort of chap that is anxious to pry into the private affairs of other people, and therefore what I am about to say is not with any desire to gratify an idle curiosity."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well then, to come to the point at once, from your manner of late I should judge you have something on your mind which is troubling you.
