Chapter II · Alex.’s Letters

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

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

later than; following

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

anew

From this reading And then she had a striking face, though I might not know it again if I saw it.”

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

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

(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 “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

Having no one else present.

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

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

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

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

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

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

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

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

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

a room used for dining

From this reading He was dressed by this time, and, going to the dining-room, kissed his mother, and, seating himself at the table, looked at the letters lying by his plate.

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

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading He was dressed by this time, and, going to the dining-room, kissed his mother, and, seating himself at the table, looked at the letters lying by his plate.

savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

a quad with a square body

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

high in price or charging high prices

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

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

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

a young female

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

the act of departing

From this reading He was dressed by this time, and, going to the dining-room, kissed his mother, and, seating himself at the table, looked at the letters lying by his plate.

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

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

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

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

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

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

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

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

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

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

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

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

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

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.

From this reading He was dressed by this time, and, going to the dining-room, kissed his mother, and, seating himself at the table, looked at the letters lying by his plate.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading And then she had a striking face, though I might not know it again if I saw it.”

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

the literary culture

From this reading He was dressed by this time, and, going to the dining-room, kissed his mother, and, seating himself at the table, looked at the letters lying by his plate.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

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

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading He was dressed by this time, and, going to the dining-room, kissed his mother, and, seating himself at the table, looked at the letters lying by his plate.

low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading And then she had a striking face, though I might not know it again if I saw it.”

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading He was dressed by this time, and, going to the dining-room, kissed his mother, and, seating himself at the table, looked at the letters lying by his plate.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

a warm tubular covering for the hands

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And then she had a striking face, though I might not know it again if I saw it.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

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

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading He was dressed by this time, and, going to the dining-room, kissed his mother, and, seating himself at the table, looked at the letters lying by his plate.

someone who makes or gives a pledge

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

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

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

on the contrary

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

cut with a saw

From this reading And then she had a striking face, though I might not know it again if I saw it.”

an area that includes places where several people can sit

From this reading He was dressed by this time, and, going to the dining-room, kissed his mother, and, seating himself at the table, looked at the letters lying by his plate.

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

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect

From this reading And then she had a striking face, though I might not know it again if I saw it.”

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading He was dressed by this time, and, going to the dining-room, kissed his mother, and, seating himself at the table, looked at the letters lying by his plate.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

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

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading And then she had a striking face, though I might not know it again if I saw it.”

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

From this reading He was dressed by this time, and, going to the dining-room, kissed his mother, and, seating himself at the table, looked at the letters lying by his plate.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading And then she had a striking face, though I might not know it again if I saw it.”

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He was dressed by this time, and, going to the dining-room, kissed his mother, and, seating himself at the table, looked at the letters lying by his plate.

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

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

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

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

be dressed in

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

at the time that

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.

during the time that

From this reading He had thought of the Pledgers while dressing, and laughed at himself for being so interested in a strange girl.

which person or people

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

in the company of; together with

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “I don’t quite understand it, although it is like me to be attracted by every new face if it is at all out of the common,” he thought, “and she was rather uncommon in that expensive box with Old Pledger and his wife, who looked like a muff, and the girl so fair, and without the flumadiddles Amy and Ruth and the rest of ’em wear to such places.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading After waiting an hour for her young people, Mrs. Marsh sat down to breakfast alone, and was finishing her coffee when Alex. came in.