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 The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

(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 Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

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

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

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

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

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

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

completely unclothed

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term

From this reading There was no card before this ninth chair, but on the uncushioned seat lay a square piece of cardboard, bordered with a painted wreath of holly, inscribed on which were four short words.

cause to be bored

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading Margaret and Peg read them with a sudden shortening of the breath and smarting of the eyes:

plural of “bunch” — a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

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

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

a stiff moderately thick paper

From this reading There was no card before this ninth chair, but on the uncushioned seat lay a square piece of cardboard, bordered with a painted wreath of holly, inscribed on which were four short words.

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

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

past form of “deck” — be beautiful to look at

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

of or associated with a church (especially a Christian Church)

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

being one more than seven

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

past form of “embellish” — add details to

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

an erect penis

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

opinion or judgment

From this reading Margaret and Peg read them with a sudden shortening of the breath and smarting of the eyes:

a social unit living together

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading There was no card before this ninth chair, but on the uncushioned seat lay a square piece of cardboard, bordered with a painted wreath of holly, inscribed on which were four short words.

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

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

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

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

having a high back

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

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

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

any tree or shrub of the genus Ilex having red berries and shiny evergreen leaves with prickly edges

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

where you live at a particular time

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

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

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

written (by handwriting, printing, engraving, or carving) on or in a surface

From this reading There was no card before this ninth chair, but on the uncushioned seat lay a square piece of cardboard, bordered with a painted wreath of holly, inscribed on which were four short words.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading There was no card before this ninth chair, but on the uncushioned seat lay a square piece of cardboard, bordered with a painted wreath of holly, inscribed on which were four short words.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

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

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

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

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

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

From this reading Margaret and Peg read them with a sudden shortening of the breath and smarting of the eyes:

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

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

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

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

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

position nine in a countable series of things

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

not any; not one

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

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

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

a judge of a probate court

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

coated with paint

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

a wooden pin pushed or driven into a surface

From this reading Margaret and Peg read them with a sudden shortening of the breath and smarting of the eyes:

a separate part of a whole

From this reading There was no card before this ninth chair, but on the uncushioned seat lay a square piece of cardboard, bordered with a painted wreath of holly, inscribed on which were four short words.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

literature in metrical form

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading Margaret and Peg read them with a sudden shortening of the breath and smarting of the eyes:

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading There was no card before this ninth chair, but on the uncushioned seat lay a square piece of cardboard, bordered with a painted wreath of holly, inscribed on which were four short words.

fat such as butter or lard used in baked goods

From this reading Margaret and Peg read them with a sudden shortening of the breath and smarting of the eyes:

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore

From this reading Margaret and Peg read them with a sudden shortening of the breath and smarting of the eyes:

a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

make square

From this reading There was no card before this ninth chair, but on the uncushioned seat lay a square piece of cardboard, bordered with a painted wreath of holly, inscribed on which were four short words.

in a strange manner

From this reading Eight names in all, but nine chairs, and the ninth no ordinary, cane-seated chair like the rest, but a beautiful, high-backed, carved-oak erection, ecclesiastical in design, which looked strangely out of place in the bare room.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Margaret and Peg read them with a sudden shortening of the breath and smarting of the eyes:

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

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

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

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

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Margaret and Peg read them with a sudden shortening of the breath and smarting of the eyes:

in or at that place or location

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

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

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

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

From this reading There was no card before this ninth chair, but on the uncushioned seat lay a square piece of cardboard, bordered with a painted wreath of holly, inscribed on which were four short words.

nonexistent

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

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

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

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

From this reading There was no card before this ninth chair, but on the uncushioned seat lay a square piece of cardboard, bordered with a painted wreath of holly, inscribed on which were four short words.

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

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

belonging to which person

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

in the company of; together with

From this reading The table was decked with great bunches of holly, and before every seat a little card bore the name of a member of the family, printed on a card, which had been further embellished by a flower or spray, painted by an artist whose taste was in advance of his skill--"Father," "Mother," "Amy," "Fred," "Norton," "Mary," "Teddums," "May."

the words that are spoken

From this reading There was no card before this ninth chair, but on the uncushioned seat lay a square piece of cardboard, bordered with a painted wreath of holly, inscribed on which were four short words.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading For it would appear that though money was wanting, there was no lack of love and poetry in this lonely home.

flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes

From this reading There was no card before this ninth chair, but on the uncushioned seat lay a square piece of cardboard, bordered with a painted wreath of holly, inscribed on which were four short words.