adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
agedadjectiveUS /eɪdʒd/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
alienadjectiveUS /ˈeɪliən/
not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The colloquy was short between Diaper Sandoe and Richard.
badadjectiveUS /bæd/
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The colloquy was short between Diaper Sandoe and Richard.
bloodnounUS /blʌd/
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Small loss to her was Diaper; but he was the loss of habit, and that is something to a woman who has lived.
butterflyverbUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/
flutter like a butterfly
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
castverbUS /kæst/
put or send forth
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
chainedadjectiveUS /tʃeɪnd/
bound with chains
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
circumstancesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəmstænsəz/
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
colloquynounUS /ˈkɑːləkwi/
a conversation especially a formal one
From this reading The colloquy was short between Diaper Sandoe and Richard.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
comesnounUS /kʌmz/
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
decrepitadjectiveUS /dəˈkrepɪt/
worn and broken down by hard use
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
demandnounUS /dɪˈmænd/
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
DiapernounUS /ˈdaɪpər/
garment consisting of a folded cloth drawn up between the legs and fastened at the waist; worn by infants to catch excrement
From this reading The colloquy was short between Diaper Sandoe and Richard.
disappointedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd/
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdredfəl/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
energiesnounUS /ˈenərdʒiz/
plural of “energy” — (physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
gentlenessnounUS /ˈdʒentəlnəs/
the property possessed by a slope that is very gradual
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
habitnounUS /ˈhæbət/
an established custom
From this reading Small loss to her was Diaper; but he was the loss of habit, and that is something to a woman who has lived.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Small loss to her was Diaper; but he was the loss of habit, and that is something to a woman who has lived.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Small loss to her was Diaper; but he was the loss of habit, and that is something to a woman who has lived.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
imperativelyadverb
in an imperative and commanding manner
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
inkstandnoun
a small well holding writing ink into which a pen can be dipped
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Small loss to her was Diaper; but he was the loss of habit, and that is something to a woman who has lived.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
justicenounUS /ˈdʒʌstəs/
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
ladynounUS /ˈleɪdi/
a polite name for any woman
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
livedverbUS /lɪvd/
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Small loss to her was Diaper; but he was the loss of habit, and that is something to a woman who has lived.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
lossnounUS /lɔːs/
something that is lost
From this reading Small loss to her was Diaper; but he was the loss of habit, and that is something to a woman who has lived.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
motherhoodnounUS /ˈmʌðərhʊd/
the kinship relation between an offspring and the mother
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
oilyadjectiveUS /ˈɔɪli/
containing an unusual amount of grease or oil
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
paramournoun
a woman's lover
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/
a human being
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
poetnounUS /ˈpoʊət/
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
prematurelyadverbUS /ˌpriːməˈtʃʊrli/
(of childbirth) before the end of the normal period of gestation
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
putverbUS /pʊt/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
referredverbUS /rəˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “refer” — make reference to
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
retainverbUS /rɪˈteɪn/
hold back within
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
Richard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colloquy was short between Diaper Sandoe and Richard.
Richard'snounUS /ˈrɪtʃərdz/
possessive form of “richards” — English literary critic who collaborated with C. K. Ogden and contributed to the development of Basic English (1893-1979)
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
robustadjectiveUS /roʊˈbʌst/
sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
runningadjectiveUS /ˈrʌnɪŋ/
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
Sandoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colloquy was short between Diaper Sandoe and Richard.
seeingnounUS /ˈsiːɪŋ/
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The colloquy was short between Diaper Sandoe and Richard.
SmalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Small loss to her was Diaper; but he was the loss of habit, and that is something to a woman who has lived.
smote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Small loss to her was Diaper; but he was the loss of habit, and that is something to a woman who has lived.
sonnounUS /sʌn/
a male human offspring
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
spiritlessadjective
lacking ardor or vigor or energy
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
strangenessnounUS /ˈstreɪndʒnəs/
unusualness as a consequence of not being well known
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
strenuousadjectiveUS /ˈstrenjuːəs/
characterized by or performed with much energy or force
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
supposeverbUS /səˈpoʊz/
express a supposition
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The colloquy was short between Diaper Sandoe and Richard.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The colloquy was short between Diaper Sandoe and Richard.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The question was referred to the poor spiritless lady, who, seeing that her son made no question of it, cast herself on his hands.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The blood of her son had been running so long alien from her that the sense of her motherhood smote he now with strangeness, and Richard's stern gentleness seemed like dreadful justice come upon her.
womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Small loss to her was Diaper; but he was the loss of habit, and that is something to a woman who has lived.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading One may suppose that a prematurely aged, oily little man; a poet in bad circumstances; a decrepit butterfly chained to a disappointed inkstand, will not put out strenuous energies to retain his ancient paramour when a robust young man comes imperatively to demand his mother of him in her person.