Chapter I

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

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading Known As “Boy.”

the verbal act of requesting

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

confined by bonds

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

a youthful male person

From this reading Known As “Boy.”

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

From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.

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

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

plural of “copy” — a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

Greek missionary; the invention of the Cyrillic alphabet is attributed to him (826-869)

From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.

dearly loved

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

opinion or judgment

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

plural of “hundred” — ten 10s

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.

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

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”

possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”

apprehended with certainty

From this reading Known As “Boy.”

immediately past

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”

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 With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”

a writing implement with a point from which ink flows

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

by chance

From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

disposed of to a purchaser

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

in the direction of

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

precisely as stated

From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”

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

From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”

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

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

at the time that

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

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

From this reading Some of you may perhaps have seen the very kind things which so many of the papers said about “The Wallypug of Why.”

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Author Of “The Wallypug Of Why” And “The King’s Gardens.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading With Page Illustrations By Harry Furniss Ralph Cyril Lockhart Brandon.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading In the Preface to my last book I told you that when I closed my eyes I seemed to see hundreds of dear Children’s faces turned towards me asking for a story; and now, as so many copies of that book have been sold, I am bound to believe that not hundreds, but thousands, of little friends, to whom I was this time last year a stranger, are expecting another story from my pen.