Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

away from the right path or direction

From this reading Then there was a third Joan, a Joan astray.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

for the reason that

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

of short duration or distance

From this reading In Joan's brief code of moral law there was one sin--the dealings of a married woman with another man.

inflected form of “bully” — be bossy towards

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

ruined by overcooking

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

a set of rules or principles or laws (especially written ones)

From this reading In Joan's brief code of moral law there was one sin--the dealings of a married woman with another man.

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

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

according with custom or propriety

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

having been prepared for eating by the application of heat

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

social or verbal interchange (usually followed by “with”)

From this reading In Joan's brief code of moral law there was one sin--the dealings of a married woman with another man.

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

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

start firing a weapon

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

a young female

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

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

From this reading In Joan's brief code of moral law there was one sin--the dealings of a married woman with another man.

incapable of being avoided or prevented

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

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

From this reading In Joan's brief code of moral law there was one sin--the dealings of a married woman with another man.

set down according to a plan

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading In Joan's brief code of moral law there was one sin--the dealings of a married woman with another man.

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

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

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

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading In Joan's brief code of moral law there was one sin--the dealings of a married woman with another man.

joined in matrimony

From this reading In Joan's brief code of moral law there was one sin--the dealings of a married woman with another man.

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading In Joan's brief code of moral law there was one sin--the dealings of a married woman with another man.

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

on one occasion

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In Joan's brief code of moral law there was one sin--the dealings of a married woman with another man.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

any cohesive unit such as a military company

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

capital of the state of South Dakota; located in central South Dakota on the Missouri river

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

possessive form of “pierre” — capital of the state of South Dakota; located in central South Dakota on the Missouri river

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

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

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

the act of searching for something

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

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

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

estrangement from god

From this reading In Joan's brief code of moral law there was one sin--the dealings of a married woman with another man.

inflected form of “sin” — commit a sin; violate a law of God or a moral law

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

a person who sins (without repenting)

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

(of hair) lack of a tendency to curl

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then there was a third Joan, a Joan astray.

in or at that place or location

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading Then there was a third Joan, a Joan astray.

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

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

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

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

having come into contact

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

in the direction of

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

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

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

at the time that

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

in or at the place that

From this reading When Pierre's living and seeking face looked up toward her where she stood on the mountain-side above Prosper's cabin, she felt for the first time that she had sinned, and so, for the first time, she was a sinner, and the inevitable agony of soul began.

which person or people

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

belonging to which person

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading In Joan's brief code of moral law there was one sin--the dealings of a married woman with another man.

a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones

From this reading FLIGHT There was a girl named Joan who followed Pierre Landis because he laid his hand upon her wrist, and there was another Joan who fled up the mountain-side at sight of him, as though the fire that had once touched her shoulder had burnt its way into her heart.

a late time of life

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading It was this Joan that had come to Lazy-Y Ranch and had cooked for and bullied "the outfit"--a Joan of set face and bitter tongue, whose two years' lonely battle with life had twisted her youth out of its first comely straightness.