Chapter XXIX

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

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

plural of “aisle” — a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

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

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

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

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

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

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

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

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

the negotiation of the terms of a transaction or agreement

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

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

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

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

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

make a resonant sound, like artillery

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

plural of “broker” — a businessman who buys or sells for another in exchange for a commission

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

make a buzzing sound

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

plural of “check” — a written order directing a bank to pay money

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

plural of “clerk” — an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

the act of closing something

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

-ing form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

half the width of an em

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

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

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

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

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

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

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

promise of reimbursement in the case of loss; paid to people or companies so concerned about hazards that they have made prepayments to an insurance company

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

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

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

a written message addressed to a person or organization

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

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

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

for more time

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

the force of workers available

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

plural of “notebook” — a book with blank pages for recording notes or memoranda

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

plural of “note” — a brief written record

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

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

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

go across or through

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

a person who passes by casually or by chance

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

plural of “pew” — long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

plural of “risk” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

an established line of travel or access

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

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

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

be seated

From this reading Beyond the counter are two rooms, one leading to the other, shaped like the letter "L," and in the longer of the two sit, in innumerable pews, quiet men with fat notebooks.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

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

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

(used of the voice or sound) deep and resonant

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

dependable

From this reading A stout man made a slow progress down one of the aisles, calling at the little pews _en route_, making notes in a silver-mounted book he held in his hand.

in a swift manner

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

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

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

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

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

in or at that place or location

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

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

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

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

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

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

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

in or at the place that

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.

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

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

belonging to which person

From this reading From desk to desk flutter the brokers bargaining their risks, and there is a quiet but eager buzz of voices through which, at intervals, boom the stentorian tones of the porter calling by name the members whose presence is required outside.

in the company of; together with

From this reading On the other side of the doors is a small counter where a man in uniform checks, with keen glance, each passer-by.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading A MATTER OF INSURANCE You pass up a broad stone staircase at one end of the Royal Exchange, and come to a landing where, confronting you, are two big swing-doors that are constantly opening and closing as bare-headed clerks and top-hatted brokers go swiftly in and out.