Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading He veils his plans, movements, and personal appearance in a fog of mystery.

plural of “account” — a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

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

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading He veils his plans, movements, and personal appearance in a fog of mystery.

plural of “associate” — a person who joins with others in some activity or endeavor

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

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

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

third-person singular of “bury” — cover from sight

From this reading He trumpets his successes, but he never speaks of his failures--he buries them so deeply that he forgets them himself.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He trumpets his successes, but he never speaks of his failures--he buries them so deeply that he forgets them himself.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

driving or forcing

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

have the idea for

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

decide by reasoning; draw or come to a conclusion

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

lacking spontaneity; not natural

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

a town in northwestern Canada in the Yukon on the Yukon River; a boom town around 1900 when gold was discovered in the Klondike

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

possessive form of “dawson” — a town in northwestern Canada in the Yukon on the Yukon River; a boom town around 1900 when gold was discovered in the Klondike

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading He trumpets his successes, but he never speaks of his failures--he buries them so deeply that he forgets them himself.

divisible by two

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

plural of “exploit” — a notable achievement

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

third-person singular of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

an act that fails

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

plural of “failure” — an act that fails

From this reading He trumpets his successes, but he never speaks of his failures--he buries them so deeply that he forgets them himself.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground

From this reading He veils his plans, movements, and personal appearance in a fog of mystery.

the trait of acting stupidly or rashly

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

third-person singular of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading He trumpets his successes, but he never speaks of his failures--he buries them so deeply that he forgets them himself.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

unproductive of success

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

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

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

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

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He trumpets his successes, but he never speaks of his failures--he buries them so deeply that he forgets them himself.

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

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

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

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

deeply or markedly affected or influenced

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

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

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

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

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

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

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading He veils his plans, movements, and personal appearance in a fog of mystery.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading He veils his plans, movements, and personal appearance in a fog of mystery.

feeling nausea; feeling about to vomit

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

not any; not one

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

not one, and not any

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading He veils his plans, movements, and personal appearance in a fog of mystery.

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading He veils his plans, movements, and personal appearance in a fog of mystery.

pull or pull out sharply

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

plural of “puppet” — a small figure of a person operated from above with strings by a puppeteer

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

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

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He trumpets his successes, but he never speaks of his failures--he buries them so deeply that he forgets them himself.

third-person singular of “speak” — express in speech

From this reading He trumpets his successes, but he never speaks of his failures--he buries them so deeply that he forgets them himself.

something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

third-person singular of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

plural of “success” — an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading He trumpets his successes, but he never speaks of his failures--he buries them so deeply that he forgets them himself.

with success; in a successful manner

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

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

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

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

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

pitcher plant of southeastern United States having erect yellow trumpet-shaped pitchers with wide mouths and erect lids

From this reading He trumpets his successes, but he never speaks of his failures--he buries them so deeply that he forgets them himself.

up to a particular time

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

plural of “veil” — a garment that covers the head and face

From this reading He veils his plans, movements, and personal appearance in a fog of mystery.

precisely as stated

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

exhausted

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

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

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading None, not even his closest associates, know what he would be at until a job is completely finished, and finished successfully.

at the time that

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

at any time that; every time that

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

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

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Thus when he succeeds, his own small world is deeply impressed--even nauseated--by the compelling spectacle of a Dawson triumphant; when he fails, very few know or hear of the failure.

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

From this reading THE WOMAN AND THE MAN If one believed Dawson's own accounts of his exploits--I can conceive no greater exercise in folly--one would conclude that he never failed, that he always held the strings by which his puppets were constrained to dance, and that he could pluck them from their games and shut them within his black box whenever he grew wearied of their fruitless sport.