Chapter XXIII

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

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

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

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

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

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

in an arch manner; with playful slyness or roguishness

From this reading Looking at him rather archly, she asked:

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

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

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Looking at him rather archly, she asked:

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Looking at him rather archly, she asked:

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

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

past form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

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

From this reading "Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"

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

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading "Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"

the organ of sight

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

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

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

destroyed or killed

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

a person who cares for persons or property

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

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

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

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

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

in a hurried or hasty manner

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

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

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

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

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

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

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

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

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

the largest city in Texas; located in southeastern Texas near the Gulf of Mexico; site of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

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

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

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

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

done or made using whatever is available

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

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

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

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

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

and nothing more

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

conformity or harmony

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

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

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

immediately past

From this reading "Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading "Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

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

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Looking at him rather archly, she asked:

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

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

engage in

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

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

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

a form of address for a man

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading "Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

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

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

plural of “player” — a person who participates in or is skilled at some game

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

on the contrary

From this reading Looking at him rather archly, she asked:

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading "Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

a unit strength of a radioactive source equal to one million disintegrations per second

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

in a serious manner

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

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

From this reading Looking at him rather archly, she asked:

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

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

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

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

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

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

From this reading "Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"

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

From this reading "Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"

a formal word for “on”

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

engaged in or accustomed to close observation

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The next evening, as Houston stood for a few moments in the little porch, watching a game of lawn tennis which had been hastily improvised by the merry crowd, Lyle suddenly left the group of players and joined him.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "I don't know just how late I may be detained," he answered, smiling, "Why? are you keeping a watchful eye upon me?"

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Do you expect to remain out as late to-night as you did last night?"

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Certainly," she replied, "Mr. Rutherford used to call himself your guardian, and now that he is gone, I must make his place good;" then she added more seriously, "This is an altogether different country from what you have been accustomed to; it is not particularly pleasant or safe for one to keep late hours here, especially if he has enemies."