Chapter XIII

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

later than; following

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

anew

From this reading Again he would be off to the dining room; there was the table in the centre of the room, and in the centre of the table a place for the Luck, for he had given twenty repetitions of the order to Templeton, which was exactly twenty repetitions more than were necessary.

aimlessly drifting

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

(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 Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.

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

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

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

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.

-ing form of “behave” — behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

From this reading Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

tilt or slant to one side

From this reading Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.

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

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

the act of eating dinner

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

divisible by two

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading Again he would be off to the dining room; there was the table in the centre of the room, and in the centre of the table a place for the Luck, for he had given twenty repetitions of the order to Templeton, which was exactly twenty repetitions more than were necessary.

a journey taken for pleasure

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

opinion or judgment

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

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

From this reading Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Again he would be off to the dining room; there was the table in the centre of the room, and in the centre of the table a place for the Luck, for he had given twenty repetitions of the order to Templeton, which was exactly twenty repetitions more than were necessary.

destroyed or killed

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

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

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

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

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

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

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli

From this reading Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

full of life and energy

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

plural of “male” — an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes

From this reading Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.

the act of pairing a male and female for reproductive purposes

From this reading Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Again he would be off to the dining room; there was the table in the centre of the room, and in the centre of the table a place for the Luck, for he had given twenty repetitions of the order to Templeton, which was exactly twenty repetitions more than were necessary.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

absolutely essential

From this reading Again he would be off to the dining room; there was the table in the centre of the room, and in the centre of the table a place for the Luck, for he had given twenty repetitions of the order to Templeton, which was exactly twenty repetitions more than were necessary.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Again he would be off to the dining room; there was the table in the centre of the room, and in the centre of the table a place for the Luck, for he had given twenty repetitions of the order to Templeton, which was exactly twenty repetitions more than were necessary.

above and across; more than

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

past form of “push” — move with force

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

To recall to mind.

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

plural of “repetition” — an event that repeats

From this reading Again he would be off to the dining room; there was the table in the centre of the room, and in the centre of the table a place for the Luck, for he had given twenty repetitions of the order to Templeton, which was exactly twenty repetitions more than were necessary.

the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

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

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

Identical; not different.

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

be seated

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects

From this reading Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.

be standing; be upright

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

inflected form of “strut” — to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others

From this reading Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

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

From this reading Again he would be off to the dining room; there was the table in the centre of the room, and in the centre of the table a place for the Luck, for he had given twenty repetitions of the order to Templeton, which was exactly twenty repetitions more than were necessary.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Again he would be off to the dining room; there was the table in the centre of the room, and in the centre of the table a place for the Luck, for he had given twenty repetitions of the order to Templeton, which was exactly twenty repetitions more than were necessary.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

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

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

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

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading Again he would be off to the dining room; there was the table in the centre of the room, and in the centre of the table a place for the Luck, for he had given twenty repetitions of the order to Templeton, which was exactly twenty repetitions more than were necessary.

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

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

From this reading Again he would be off to the dining room; there was the table in the centre of the room, and in the centre of the table a place for the Luck, for he had given twenty repetitions of the order to Templeton, which was exactly twenty repetitions more than were necessary.

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

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

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

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Then he would remember that he wanted the table to-night in the centre of the room, not pushed, as they had been having it, into the window; and there must be a place left for the Luck in the middle of the table.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading THE MEETING IN THE WOOD The two ladies were to arrive about tea time next day, and, as the hour drew on, a lively restlessness got hold of Harry.

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

From this reading He could neither sit, nor stand, nor read, but after a paragraph of a page, the meaning of which slipped from his mind even as his eyes hurried over the lines, he would be off on an aimless excursion to the dining room, forget what he had gone about, and return with the same haste to his book.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Harry, in fact, was behaving exactly like the cock sparrow in mating time, strutting before its lady--an instinct in all young males.