Chapter I · Which Introduces the Heroine, and Others

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading “I wish I were a real Princess,” said Philomène, and waited for Nurse to add, “If wishes were horses, Miss, beggars might ride,” which she forthwith did.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

(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 There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

for the reason that

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

plural of “beggar” — a pauper who lives by begging

From this reading “I wish I were a real Princess,” said Philomène, and waited for Nurse to add, “If wishes were horses, Miss, beggars might ride,” which she forthwith did.

dearly loved

From this reading Unlike most people, she was satisfied with her own name, indeed she was proud of it; for Daddy had told her that Philomène meant “beloved,” and as for Isolde, that was Godmother’s own name.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading When he did call her “Philomène,” it meant that he was too busy to have her in the room with him.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading When he did call her “Philomène,” it meant that he was too busy to have her in the room with him.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

giving a Christian name at baptism

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

plural of “curd” — a coagulated liquid resembling milk curd

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk

From this reading Unlike most people, she was satisfied with her own name, indeed she was proud of it; for Daddy had told her that Philomène meant “beloved,” and as for Isolde, that was Godmother’s own name.

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

From this reading When he did call her “Philomène,” it meant that he was too busy to have her in the room with him.

a boxlike container in a piece of furniture; made so as to slide in and out

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

put on clothes

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

-ing form of “except” — take exception to

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Unlike most people, she was satisfied with her own name, indeed she was proud of it; for Daddy had told her that Philomène meant “beloved,” and as for Isolde, that was Godmother’s own name.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading “I wish I were a real Princess,” said Philomène, and waited for Nurse to add, “If wishes were horses, Miss, beggars might ride,” which she forthwith did.

any woman who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism

From this reading “And Isolde,” said Godmother, “was a real Princess.”

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

From this reading Unlike most people, she was satisfied with her own name, indeed she was proud of it; for Daddy had told her that Philomène meant “beloved,” and as for Isolde, that was Godmother’s own name.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading When he did call her “Philomène,” it meant that he was too busy to have her in the room with him.

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

From this reading When he did call her “Philomène,” it meant that he was too busy to have her in the room with him.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

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

From this reading When he did call her “Philomène,” it meant that he was too busy to have her in the room with him.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading “I wish I were a real Princess,” said Philomène, and waited for Nurse to add, “If wishes were horses, Miss, beggars might ride,” which she forthwith did.

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

From this reading “I wish I were a real Princess,” said Philomène, and waited for Nurse to add, “If wishes were horses, Miss, beggars might ride,” which she forthwith did.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “I wish I were a real Princess,” said Philomène, and waited for Nurse to add, “If wishes were horses, Miss, beggars might ride,” which she forthwith did.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Unlike most people, she was satisfied with her own name, indeed she was proud of it; for Daddy had told her that Philomène meant “beloved,” and as for Isolde, that was Godmother’s own name.

(Middle Ages) the bride of the king of Cornwall who (according to legend) fell in love with the king's nephew (Tristan) after they mistakenly drank a love potion that left them eternally in love with each other

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When he did call her “Philomène,” it meant that he was too busy to have her in the room with him.

a tight cluster of people or things

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading When he did call her “Philomène,” it meant that he was too busy to have her in the room with him.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “I wish I were a real Princess,” said Philomène, and waited for Nurse to add, “If wishes were horses, Miss, beggars might ride,” which she forthwith did.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Unlike most people, she was satisfied with her own name, indeed she was proud of it; for Daddy had told her that Philomène meant “beloved,” and as for Isolde, that was Godmother’s own name.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

try to cure by special care of treatment, of an illness or injury

From this reading “I wish I were a real Princess,” said Philomène, and waited for Nurse to add, “If wishes were horses, Miss, beggars might ride,” which she forthwith did.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

many times at short intervals

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Unlike most people, she was satisfied with her own name, indeed she was proud of it; for Daddy had told her that Philomène meant “beloved,” and as for Isolde, that was Godmother’s own name.

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

From this reading Unlike most people, she was satisfied with her own name, indeed she was proud of it; for Daddy had told her that Philomène meant “beloved,” and as for Isolde, that was Godmother’s own name.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

From this reading “And Isolde,” said Godmother, “was a real Princess.”

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading Unlike most people, she was satisfied with her own name, indeed she was proud of it; for Daddy had told her that Philomène meant “beloved,” and as for Isolde, that was Godmother’s own name.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading “And Isolde,” said Godmother, “was a real Princess.”

unusual or striking

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

any long object resembling a thin line

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading “I wish I were a real Princess,” said Philomène, and waited for Nurse to add, “If wishes were horses, Miss, beggars might ride,” which she forthwith did.

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

From this reading When he did call her “Philomène,” it meant that he was too busy to have her in the room with him.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “And Isolde,” said Godmother, “was a real Princess.”

filled with satisfaction

From this reading Unlike most people, she was satisfied with her own name, indeed she was proud of it; for Daddy had told her that Philomène meant “beloved,” and as for Isolde, that was Godmother’s own name.

fastened with stitches

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

plural of “spider” — predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

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

From this reading When he did call her “Philomène,” it meant that he was too busy to have her in the room with him.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Unlike most people, she was satisfied with her own name, indeed she was proud of it; for Daddy had told her that Philomène meant “beloved,” and as for Isolde, that was Godmother’s own name.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading When he did call her “Philomène,” it meant that he was too busy to have her in the room with him.

marked by dissimilarity

From this reading Unlike most people, she was satisfied with her own name, indeed she was proud of it; for Daddy had told her that Philomène meant “beloved,” and as for Isolde, that was Godmother’s own name.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

precisely as stated

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading “I wish I were a real Princess,” said Philomène, and waited for Nurse to add, “If wishes were horses, Miss, beggars might ride,” which she forthwith did.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

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

From this reading “I wish I were a real Princess,” said Philomène, and waited for Nurse to add, “If wishes were horses, Miss, beggars might ride,” which she forthwith did.

at the time that

From this reading When he did call her “Philomène,” it meant that he was too busy to have her in the room with him.

the serum or watery part of milk that is separated from the curd in making cheese

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

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

From this reading There was nothing at all remarkable about her, excepting her name, which was Philomène Isolde, and the fact that a knot of green ribbon had been sewn upon her christening dress; but the dress had long since lain folded in a drawer, and her father as often as not called her “Little Miss Muffet,” because she was very fond of curds and whey, and very much afraid of spiders.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading “I wish I were a real Princess,” said Philomène, and waited for Nurse to add, “If wishes were horses, Miss, beggars might ride,” which she forthwith did.

plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire

From this reading “I wish I were a real Princess,” said Philomène, and waited for Nurse to add, “If wishes were horses, Miss, beggars might ride,” which she forthwith did.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When he did call her “Philomène,” it meant that he was too busy to have her in the room with him.