Chapter XIV · A Clue

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

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

From this reading None of the servants knew about her excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, according to her usual custom.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

having the benefit of careful prior consideration or counsel

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

united by being of the same opinion

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

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

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

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

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

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

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

causing inconvenience

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

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

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

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

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

accepted or habitual practice

From this reading None of the servants knew about her excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, according to her usual custom.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

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

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

complete or carry out

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

the act of discovering something

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

a journey taken for pleasure

From this reading None of the servants knew about her excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, according to her usual custom.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

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

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

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

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

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

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

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

From this reading None of the servants knew about her excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, according to her usual custom.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

capable of being justified

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

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 None of the servants knew about her excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, according to her usual custom.

take somebody somewhere

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

time available for ease and relaxation

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

the force of workers available

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

unnecessary and unwarranted

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

not one, and not any

From this reading None of the servants knew about her excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, according to her usual custom.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

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

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading None of the servants knew about her excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, according to her usual custom.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

plural of “question” — an instance of questioning

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading None of the servants knew about her excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, according to her usual custom.

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

From this reading None of the servants knew about her excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, according to her usual custom.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

express in words

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading None of the servants knew about her excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, according to her usual custom.

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

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

required or under orders

From this reading None of the servants knew about her excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, according to her usual custom.

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

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

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

From this reading Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

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

From this reading None of the servants knew about her excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, according to her usual custom.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as if nothing had happened.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading So far as the outside world was concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into matters at their leisure.

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

From this reading Such an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, advised caution.