Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

later than; following

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

anew

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

how long something has existed

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

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

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

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

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

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

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

tried unsuccessfully

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In an English village I think she would have been called Dame Shand: we called her Luckie Shand.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

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

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

travel across or pass over

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

informal terms for a (young) woman

From this reading In an English village I think she would have been called Dame Shand: we called her Luckie Shand.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading In an English village I think she would have been called Dame Shand: we called her Luckie Shand.

release from entanglement of difficulty

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

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

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

set up or found

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

having or deserving or conferring glory

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

the act of departing

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

hold firmly

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

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

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

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

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In an English village I think she would have been called Dame Shand: we called her Luckie Shand.

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

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

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

From this reading In an English village I think she would have been called Dame Shand: we called her Luckie Shand.

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

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

being in captivity

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

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

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

and nothing more

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

North American songbirds having a yellow breast

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

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

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

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

From this reading In an English village I think she would have been called Dame Shand: we called her Luckie Shand.

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

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

English aeronautical engineer (1895-1937)

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

not any; not one

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

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

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

an educational institution

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

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

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

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

From this reading In an English village I think she would have been called Dame Shand: we called her Luckie Shand.

marked by exceptional merit

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

deliver by singing

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

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

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading In an English village I think she would have been called Dame Shand: we called her Luckie Shand.

-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

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

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

in the direction of

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

inflected form of “tug” — pull hard

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

not of the nobility

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

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

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

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

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading In an English village I think she would have been called Dame Shand: we called her Luckie Shand.

at the time that

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.

in or at the place that

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

belonging to which person

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading One glorious morning in early summer I found myself led by the ungentle hand of Mrs. Mitchell towards a little school on the outside of the village, kept by an old woman called Mrs. Shand.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Half dragged along the road by Mrs. Mitchell, from whose rough grasp I attempted in vain to extricate my hand, I looked around at the shining fields and up at the blue sky, where a lark was singing as if he had just found out that he could sing, with something like the despair of a man going to the gallows and bidding farewell to the world.

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

From this reading In an English village I think she would have been called Dame Shand: we called her Luckie Shand.

a late time of life

From this reading I Begin Life I began life, and that after no pleasant fashion, as near as I can guess, about the age of six years.

but in spite of that

From this reading We had to cross a little stream, and when we reached the middle of the foot-bridge, I tugged yet again at my imprisoned hand, with a half-formed intention of throwing myself into the brook.