Chapter IX

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

plural of “affection” — a positive feeling of liking

From this reading He included in his affections all friends of the family and particularly Roundy's brother Scouts.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading He included in his affections all friends of the family and particularly Roundy's brother Scouts.

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

all the plant life in a particular region or period

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading He included in his affections all friends of the family and particularly Roundy's brother Scouts.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing

From this reading There were people, indeed, who claimed that Felix was the eighth member of the patrol.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading Felix was the Magoons' dog.

any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

coming next after the seventh and just before the ninth in position

From this reading There were people, indeed, who claimed that Felix was the eighth member of the patrol.

having come or been brought to a conclusion

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

communicated in words

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

a social unit living together

From this reading He included in his affections all friends of the family and particularly Roundy's brother Scouts.

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading He included in his affections all friends of the family and particularly Roundy's brother Scouts.

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

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

From this reading He included in his affections all friends of the family and particularly Roundy's brother Scouts.

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

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

From this reading He included in his affections all friends of the family and particularly Roundy's brother Scouts.

enclosed in the same envelope or package

From this reading He included in his affections all friends of the family and particularly Roundy's brother Scouts.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading There were people, indeed, who claimed that Felix was the eighth member of the patrol.

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

plural of “knot” — a tight cluster of people or things

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

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

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

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

From this reading Felix was the Magoons' dog.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading There were people, indeed, who claimed that Felix was the eighth member of the patrol.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

not any; not one

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

according to the clock

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading He included in his affections all friends of the family and particularly Roundy's brother Scouts.

go across or through

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

a detachment used for security or reconnaissance

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

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

From this reading There were people, indeed, who claimed that Felix was the eighth member of the patrol.

participate in games or sport

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

inspiring scornful pity

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

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

From this reading He included in his affections all friends of the family and particularly Roundy's brother Scouts.

an educational institution

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading He included in his affections all friends of the family and particularly Roundy's brother Scouts.

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

an example regarded as typical of its class

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

carry out

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

an inexperienced person (especially someone inexperienced in outdoor living)

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

plural of “test” — trying something to find out about it

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

in or at that place or location

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

the act of tying or binding things together

From this reading But that was ridiculous, of course; for how could a dog pass the tenderfoot tests of tying knots, or take the Scout oath, or know the history of the flag?

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

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

From this reading Felix was the Magoons' dog.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

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

From this reading There were people, indeed, who claimed that Felix was the eighth member of the patrol.

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

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.

which person or people

From this reading There were people, indeed, who claimed that Felix was the eighth member of the patrol.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE TENDERFOOT If Specs had not stopped on his way to school that morning to play with Felix; and if Miss Seeby, the botany teacher, had not expressed a desire for a specimen of _aspidium fragrans_, which is a variety of fern; and if Professor Leland had not called a mass meeting for four o'clock that afternoon, there is no telling how the day might have ended for the Black Eagle Patrol.