AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A rowdy-dowdy business, he called it.
accompaniedadjectiveUS /əˈkʌmpənid/
having companions or an escort
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
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 The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
AltogetheradverbUS /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
blatantadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪtənt/
without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/
brought into existence
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading A rowdy-dowdy business, he called it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A rowdy-dowdy business, he called it.
carefullyadverbUS /ˈkerfəli/
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
causenounUS /kɑːz/
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
chatteringnounUS /ˈtʃætərɪŋ/
the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
clergynounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒi/
in Christianity, clergymen collectively (as distinguished from the laity)
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
clientnounUS /ˈklaɪənt/
a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
complainverbUS /kəmˈpleɪn/
express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
defunctadjectiveUS /dɪˈfʌŋkt/
no longer in force or use; inactive
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
DonnounUS /dɑːn/
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
edifiedadjective
instructed and encouraged in moral, intellectual, and spiritual improvement
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
everadverbUS /ˈevər/
at any time
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
Francesco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
funeralnounUS /ˈfjuːnərəl/
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
gesturesnounUS /ˈdʒestʃərz/
plural of “gesture” — motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
gorgeousadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəs/
dazzlingly beautiful
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
greatlyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪtli/
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
HeardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading It was Mr. Heard.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
irreverencenounUS /ˌɪˈrevərəns/
an irreverent mental attitude
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Mr. Heard.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
livelyadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪvli/
full of life and energy
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
loudadjectiveUS /laʊd/
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
mournersnounUS /ˈmɔːrnərz/
plural of “mourner” — a person who is feeling grief (as grieving over someone who has died)
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was Mr. Heard.
municipaladjectiveUS /mjuːˈnɪsəpəl/
relating or belonging to or characteristic of a municipality
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
musicnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
Nepenthe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
occasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
OnlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
orationnounUS /ɔːˈreɪʃən/
an instance of oratory
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/
a human being
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
preparedadjectiveUS /priˈperd/
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
rowdy-dowdy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rowdy-dowdy business, he called it.
savoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
slightlyadverbUS /ˈslaɪtli/
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
solemnadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləm/
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Only one other person on Nepenthe found cause to complain of the municipal music.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
Torquemada's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
vestmentsnounUS /ˈvestments/
plural of “vestment” — gown (especially ceremonial garments) worn by the clergy
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
violentadjectiveUS /ˈvaɪələnt/
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Mr. Heard.
well-meantadjective
marked by good intentions though often producing unfortunate results
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
witnessedverbUS /ˈwɪtnəst/
past form of “witness” — be a witness to
From this reading Altogether, he was not greatly edified by this, the first funeral of its kind he had ever witnessed.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The music was too lively and blatant for so solemn an occasion; the gorgeous vestments of the clergy, the loud chattering among the mourners, the violent gestures that accompanied Torquemada's well-meant and carefully prepared oration (Don Francesco, a born speaker, would have done it better, but the defunct was no friend or even client of his)--all these things savoured slightly of irreverence.
