Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading He arrived something of a wreck, and with an enormous respect for the Yukon trail.

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

From this reading He arrived something of a wreck, and with an enormous respect for the Yukon trail.

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

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading He arrived something of a wreck, and with an enormous respect for the Yukon trail.

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

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

the lower side of anything

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

a youthful male person

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

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

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

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

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

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

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading He arrived something of a wreck, and with an enormous respect for the Yukon trail.

divisible by two

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

every person

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

opinion or judgment

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

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

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

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

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

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

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

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

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

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

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

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

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

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

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

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

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

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

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

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 As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

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

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

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

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

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

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

continually complaining or faultfinding

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

the middle of the day

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

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

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

United States feminist (1885-1977)

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

cause to suffer a blight

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

deeply absorbed in thought

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

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

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

with speed

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading He arrived something of a wreck, and with an enormous respect for the Yukon trail.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

coming next after the sixth and just before the eighth in position

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

an instance of visual perception

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

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

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He arrived something of a wreck, and with an enormous respect for the Yukon trail.

a male human offspring

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

not in physical motion

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

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

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

having intellectual depth

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

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

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

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

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

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

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

in or at the place that

From this reading It did him good to sight the big chimney, and still more to see the big Colonel putting on his snow-shoes near the bottom of the hill, where the cabin trail met the river trail.

which person or people

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading As it was, with the mercury rapidly rising and the wind fallen, he got the Pymeuts on the trail next day at noon, spent what was left of the night at the Kachime, and set off for camp early the following day.

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

in the company of; together with

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

the words that are spoken

From this reading KAVIAK'S CRIME "My little son, who look'd from thoughtful eyes, And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobey'd, I struck him, and dismiss'd With hard words and unkiss'd...."

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

From this reading Even with the plague and Brother Paul raging at the mission--even with everyone preoccupied by the claims of dead and dying, the Boy would have been glad to prolong his stay had it not been for "nagging" thoughts of the Colonel.

something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation

From this reading He arrived something of a wreck, and with an enormous respect for the Yukon trail.

a North American river that flows westward from the Yukon Territory through central Alaska to the Bering Sea

From this reading He arrived something of a wreck, and with an enormous respect for the Yukon trail.