Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

later than; following

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

anew

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

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

From this reading But Tommy was not in the kitchen; he was on the garden-wall watching Miss Ailie's persecutor.

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

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

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

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

From this reading "Would it no be easier to watch him frae the gate?" suggested Gavinia, who had not the true detective instinct.

a small ball with a hole through the middle

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Tommy was not in the kitchen; he was on the garden-wall watching Miss Ailie's persecutor.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

a police officer who investigates crimes

From this reading "Would it no be easier to watch him frae the gate?" suggested Gavinia, who had not the true detective instinct.

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

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

not noticed inadvertently

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

with sadness; in a sorrowful manner

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading "Would it no be easier to watch him frae the gate?" suggested Gavinia, who had not the true detective instinct.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

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

From this reading "Would it no be easier to watch him frae the gate?" suggested Gavinia, who had not the true detective instinct.

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

From this reading But Tommy was not in the kitchen; he was on the garden-wall watching Miss Ailie's persecutor.

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading "Would it no be easier to watch him frae the gate?" suggested Gavinia, who had not the true detective instinct.

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

death of a person

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

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

From this reading "Would it no be easier to watch him frae the gate?" suggested Gavinia, who had not the true detective instinct.

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

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

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

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

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

From this reading But Tommy was not in the kitchen; he was on the garden-wall watching Miss Ailie's persecutor.

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading "Would it no be easier to watch him frae the gate?" suggested Gavinia, who had not the true detective instinct.

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

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

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

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

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

a form of address for a man

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

not any; not one

From this reading "Would it no be easier to watch him frae the gate?" suggested Gavinia, who had not the true detective instinct.

not one, and not any

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

a brief written record

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

above and across; more than

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

someone who torments

From this reading But Tommy was not in the kitchen; he was on the garden-wall watching Miss Ailie's persecutor.

past form of “plump” — drop sharply

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

with low volume

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

restoring confidence and relieving anxiety

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

third-person singular of “repent” — turn away from sin or do penitence

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

express in words

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

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

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

rise rapidly

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

in the near future

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading "Would it no be easier to watch him frae the gate?" suggested Gavinia, who had not the true detective instinct.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

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

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

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

From this reading Gavinia, however, did not knew this, and having delivered the note she returned dolefully to the kitchen to say to Tommy, "His letter maun have been as thraun as himsel', for as soon as she read it, down she plumped on her knees again."

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading "Would it no be easier to watch him frae the gate?" suggested Gavinia, who had not the true detective instinct.

on a floor above

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

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

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

look attentively

From this reading "Would it no be easier to watch him frae the gate?" suggested Gavinia, who had not the true detective instinct.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading But Tommy was not in the kitchen; he was on the garden-wall watching Miss Ailie's persecutor.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

which person or people

From this reading "Would it no be easier to watch him frae the gate?" suggested Gavinia, who had not the true detective instinct.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

past form of “wobble” — move unsteadily

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

the trait of being womanly; having the characteristics of an adult female

From this reading Tommy disregarded her womanlike question; a great change had come over him since she went upstairs; his bead now wobbled on his shoulders like a little balloon that wanted to cut its connection with earth and soar.

the words that are spoken

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.

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

From this reading "Would it no be easier to watch him frae the gate?" suggested Gavinia, who had not the true detective instinct.

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading TOMMY REPENTS, AND IS NONE THE WORSE FOR IT Mr. McLean wrote a few reassuring words to Miss Ailie, and having told Gavinia to give the note to her walked quietly out of the house; he was coming back after he had visited Miss Kitty's grave.