Chapter VII

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

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

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

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

eagerly desirous

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

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

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

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

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

the power or right to give orders or make decisions

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

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

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

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

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

plural of “concession” — a contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

be contingent upon (something that is elided)

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

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

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

something intended to communicate a particular impression

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

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

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

divisible by two

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

involving financial matters

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

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

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Yet still the whispers grew.

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

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

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

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

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

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

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

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

the force of workers available

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

not any; not one

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

plural of “nod” — a sign of assent or salutation or command

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

plural of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

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

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something

From this reading For there seemed no proof.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

Identical; not different.

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

express in words

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading For there seemed no proof.

a general conscious awareness

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

plural of “shareholder” — someone who holds shares of stock in a corporation

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

plural of “share” — assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

small or little relative to something else

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

not in physical motion

From this reading Yet still the whispers grew.

difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

express in words

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

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

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

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

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

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

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

not known

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

precisely as stated

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

past form of “vouch” — give personal assurance; guarantee

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

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

From this reading The list of shareholders of the Dramoffsky Concessions did not display his name; it did display, as owners of blocks of shares, now larger, now smaller, a number of names unknown to fame, social or financial; even Fricker's interest was modest according to the list, and Beaufort Chance's seemed absolutely nothing.

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

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

which person or people

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Beaufort knew it by the subtle sense that will tell men who depend on what people say of them what people are saying.

plural of “wink” — a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading A DANGEROUS GAME There were whispers about Beaufort Chance, and nods and winks such as a man in his position had better have given no occasion for; men told one another things in confidence at the club; they were quite sure of them, but at the same time very anxious not to be vouched as authority.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet still the whispers grew.