Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

(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 Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

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

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

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

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

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

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

plural of “automobile” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

plural of “balloon” — large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

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

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

plural of “drift” — a force that moves something along

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

of or relating to the Netherlands or its people or culture

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

being one more than seven

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

in or to another place

From this reading For there is nothing just like it elsewhere.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For there is nothing just like it elsewhere.

the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

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

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

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

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth

From this reading A gigantic, light-filled, motion-swept rainbow of men.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

ten 10s

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

plural of “hundred” — ten 10s

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

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

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

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

From this reading For there is nothing just like it elsewhere.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For there is nothing just like it elsewhere.

a native or inhabitant of Japan

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

and nothing more

From this reading For there is nothing just like it elsewhere.

informal term for a young child

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

plural of “lad” — a boy or man

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

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

From this reading A gigantic, light-filled, motion-swept rainbow of men.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading For there is nothing just like it elsewhere.

march in a procession

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

the force of workers available

From this reading A gigantic, light-filled, motion-swept rainbow of men.

the location of something surrounded by other things

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

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

From this reading A gigantic, light-filled, motion-swept rainbow of men.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading For there is nothing just like it elsewhere.

according to the clock

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

plural of “oar” — an implement used to propel or steer a boat

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

a viscous liquid with strong oxidizing properties; a powerful bleaching agent; also used (in aqueous solutions) as a mild disinfectant and (in strong concentrations) as an oxidant in rocket fuels

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

flowing profusely

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

exert pressure or force to or upon

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

an arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of the sun's rays by rain

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

bring to an end; settle conclusively

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

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

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

plural of “size” — the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

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

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

in or at that place or location

From this reading For there is nothing just like it elsewhere.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

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

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

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

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

-ing form of “twirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

plural of “umbrella” — a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

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

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

having won

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

the act of signaling by a movement of the hand

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

in or at the place that

From this reading Across the field where hundreds of automobiles and carriages are drawn close--beyond that is a gate-way, and through this, at three o'clock or so, comes pouring a rainbow.

a Caucasian

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

plural of “wig” — hairpiece covering the head and made of real or synthetic hair

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

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

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

a university in Connecticut

From this reading The first rays of vivid color resolve into a hundred Japanese geishas; they come dancing, waving paper umbrellas down Yale Field; on their heels press Dutch kiddie, wooden-shod, in scarlet and white, with wigs of peroxide hair.

a late time of life

From this reading Then sailors, some of them twirling oars--the famous victorious crew of fifteen years back; with these march a dozen lads from fourteen to eight, the sons of the class, sailor-clad too; up from their midst as they reach the centre of the field drifts a flight of blue balloons of all sizes.