used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
abruptadjectiveUS /əˈbrʌpt/
marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
(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 The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Well, little friend, and where do you hail from?"
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
next to; at the side of
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
a youthful male person
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
brown-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading IN THE RAILWAY CARRIAGE--NEW FRIENDS.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
cricket-bat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
curlsnounUS /kɜːrlz/
plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
curlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrli/
(of hair) having curls or waves
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
depositedverbUS /dəˈpɑːzɪtɪd/
past form of “deposit” — put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Well, little friend, and where do you hail from?"
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
being one more than ten
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
fishing-rod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "Well, little friend, and where do you hail from?"
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading IN THE RAILWAY CARRIAGE--NEW FRIENDS.
frocknounUS /frɑːk/
a long, loose outer garment
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Well, little friend, and where do you hail from?"
a young female
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
grey-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
hailverbUS /heɪl/
praise vociferously
From this reading "Well, little friend, and where do you hail from?"
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 speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
hamperverbUS /ˈhæmpər/
prevent the progress or free movement of
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
homelyadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmli/
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE RAILWAY CARRIAGE--NEW FRIENDS.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
jacketnounUS /ˈdʒækət/
a short coat
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
and nothing more
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
knowing-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Well, little friend, and where do you hail from?"
an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
merry-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
midgenounUS /mɪdʒ/
minute two-winged mosquito-like fly lacking biting mouthparts; appear in dancing swarms especially near water
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
mitenounUS /maɪt/
a slight but appreciable amount
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
nestlingnounUS /ˈnestlɪŋ/
young bird not yet fledged
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading IN THE RAILWAY CARRIAGE--NEW FRIENDS.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
occupantnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənt/
someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
questionernounUS /ˈkwestʃənər/
someone who asks a question
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
RAILWAYnounUS /ˈreɪlweɪ/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading IN THE RAILWAY CARRIAGE--NEW FRIENDS.
ripplingnounUS /ˈrɪpəlɪŋ/
a small wave on the surface of a liquid
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
school-boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
sergenounUS /sɜːrdʒ/
a twilled woolen fabric
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
shyverbUS /ʃaɪ/
start suddenly, as from fright
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
snortingnounUS /ˈsnɔːrtɪŋ/
an act of forcible exhalation
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
the underside of footwear or a golf club
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
sunnyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌni/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE RAILWAY CARRIAGE--NEW FRIENDS.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
thereofadverbUS /ˌðeˈrʌv/
of or concerning this or that
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
create by training and teaching
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
twiningverbUS /ˈtwaɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “twine” — spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading "Little friend" was a mite of a girl of nine, dressed in a homely blue serge frock and jacket, with blue velvet hat to match: a shy little midge of a grey-eyed maiden, with sunny brown curls twining about her forehead and rippling down upon her shoulders, nestling in one corner of the carriage--the sole occupant thereof until this merry questioner came to keep her company.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, little friend, and where do you hail from?"
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
in or at the place that
From this reading "Well, little friend, and where do you hail from?"
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had leaped into a railway carriage with cricket-bat, fishing-rod, and a knowing-looking little hamper, which he deposited on the seat beside him; then away went the snorting steam horse, train, people, and all, and out came this abrupt question.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The speaker was a merry-faced, brown-eyed boy of eleven, with curly brown hair--just the school-boy all over.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well, little friend, and where do you hail from?"
