adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Jemima Makes a Discovery Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Jemima Makes a Discovery Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point.
blemishnounUS /ˈblemɪʃ/
a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body)
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
Bradshaw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jemima Makes a Discovery Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point.
briberynounUS /ˈbraɪbəri/
the practice of offering something (usually money) in order to gain an illicit advantage
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
carryingverbUS /ˈkæriɪŋ/
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Jemima Makes a Discovery Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point.
characternounUS /ˈkerɪktər/
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
conscientiousadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnʃiˈenʃəs/
characterized by extreme care and great effort
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
disappointedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd/
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
DiscoverynounUS /dɪˈskʌvəri/
the act of discovering something
From this reading Jemima Makes a Discovery Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
electionnounUS /ɪˈlekʃən/
a vote to select the winner of a position or political office
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
excitementnounUS /ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
feelverbUS /fiːl/
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
gratificationnounUS /ˌɡrætəfəˈkeɪʃən/
state of being gratified or satisfied
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jemima Makes a Discovery Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jemima Makes a Discovery Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point.
hithertoadverbUS /ˈhɪðɜːrˈtuː/
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Jemima Makes a Discovery Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
Jemima
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jemima Makes a Discovery Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point.
MakesnounUS /meɪks/
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading Jemima Makes a Discovery Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
membernounUS /ˈmembər/
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading His member had been returned; his proud opponents mortified.
metverbUS /met/
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
mortifications
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
mortifiedadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrtəfaɪd/
suffering from tissue death
From this reading His member had been returned; his proud opponents mortified.
motivesnounUS /ˈmoʊtɪvz/
plural of “motive” — the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading Jemima Makes a Discovery Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
opponentsnounUS /əˈpoʊnənts/
plural of “opponent” — a contestant that you are matched against
From this reading His member had been returned; his proud opponents mortified.
otherwiseadverbUS /ˈʌðərwaɪz/
in other respects or ways
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
painedadjectiveUS /peɪnd/
emotionally hurt or upset or annoyed
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
pleasedadjectiveUS /pliːzd/
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
pleasurenounUS /ˈpleʒər/
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Jemima Makes a Discovery Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point.
progressnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
proudadjectiveUS /praʊd/
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading His member had been returned; his proud opponents mortified.
publicnounUS /ˈpʌblɪk/
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
regrettedverbUS /rɪˈɡretɪd/
inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading His member had been returned; his proud opponents mortified.
sanctionedadjectiveUS /ˈsæŋkʃənd/
conforming to orthodox or recognized rules
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
schemenounUS /skiːm/
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
slightnounUS /slaɪt/
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
spotlessadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːtləs/
completely neat and clean
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
successnounUS /səkˈses/
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
successfuladjectiveUS /səkˈsesfəl/
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading Jemima Makes a Discovery Mr Bradshaw had been successful in carrying his point.
supposedadjectiveUS /səˈpoʊzd/
required or under orders
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
tacitlyadverbUS /ˈtæsɪtli/
in a tacit manner; by unexpressed agreement
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
townsmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
truthnounUS /truːθ/
a fact that has been verified
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
uneasyadjectiveUS /əˈniːzi/
lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
welladverbUS /wel/
(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 So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So the public thought he ought to be well pleased; but the public were disappointed to see that he did not show any of the gratification they supposed him to feel.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The truth was, that he had met with so many small mortifications during the progress of the election, that the pleasure which he would otherwise have felt in the final success of his scheme was much diminished.
wrong-doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had more than tacitly sanctioned bribery; and now that the excitement was over, he regretted it; not entirely from conscientious motives, though he was uneasy from a slight sense of wrong-doing; but he was more pained, after all, to think that, in the eyes of some of his townsmen, his hitherto spotless character had received a blemish.
