used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
anew
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
agitationnounUS /ˌædʒəˈteɪʃən/
a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
assertedadjectiveUS /əˈsɜːrtɪd/
confidently declared to be so
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had been favorably impressed with the girl's face; she seemed to be a sane, well-balanced young person.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been favorably impressed with the girl's face; she seemed to be a sane, well-balanced young person.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
boastingnounUS /ˈboʊstɪŋ/
speaking of yourself in superlatives
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
borderedadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrdərd/
having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
discouragedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɜːrədʒd/
made less hopeful or enthusiastic
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He had been favorably impressed with the girl's face; she seemed to be a sane, well-balanced young person.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
favorablyadverbUS /ˈfeɪvərəbli/
showing approval
From this reading He had been favorably impressed with the girl's face; she seemed to be a sane, well-balanced young person.
fixedlyadverb
in a fixed manner
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
a young female
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
girl'snounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
possessive form of “girl” — a young female
From this reading He had been favorably impressed with the girl's face; she seemed to be a sane, well-balanced young person.
guessingnounUS /ˈɡesɪŋ/
an estimate based on little or no information
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
of great significance or value
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
deeply or markedly affected or influenced
From this reading He had been favorably impressed with the girl's face; she seemed to be a sane, well-balanced young person.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
indulgeverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒ/
give free rein to
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
insistentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstəntli/
in an insistent manner
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
Joan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
a room where books are kept
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
logicnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪk/
the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
logicaladjectiveUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/
capable of or reflecting the capability for correct and valid reasoning
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
not any; not one
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
nutnounUS /nʌt/
usually large hard-shelled seed
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
obsessionnounUS /əbˈseʃən/
an irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
a human being
From this reading He had been favorably impressed with the girl's face; she seemed to be a sane, well-balanced young person.
perturbationnounUS /ˌpɜːrtərˈbeɪʃən/
an unhappy and worried mental state
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
reasoningnounUS /ˈriːzənɪŋ/
thinking that is coherent and logical
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
any object that is left unused or still extant
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
saneadjectiveUS /seɪn/
mentally healthy; free from mental disorder
From this reading He had been favorably impressed with the girl's face; she seemed to be a sane, well-balanced young person.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He had been favorably impressed with the girl's face; she seemed to be a sane, well-balanced young person.
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
SheridannounUS /ˈʃerɪdən/
Irish playwright remembered for his satirical comedies of manners (1751-1816)
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
speculationnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
SwingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
tallownounUS /ˈtæloʊ/
obtained from suet and used in making soap, candles and lubricants
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
a special situation
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
Tish's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
UNCONVINCEDadjectiveUS /ˌʌnkənˈvɪnst/
lacking conviction
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
vitaladjectiveUS /ˈvaɪtəl/
urgently needed; absolutely necessary
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
well-balancedadjective
in an optimal state of balance or equilibrium
From this reading He had been favorably impressed with the girl's face; she seemed to be a sane, well-balanced young person.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Swinging out of the library and Sergeant Tish's presence, he went out to the porch and sat down to indulge himself in logic, speculation, guessing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
at the time that
From this reading He took the piece of tallow from his pocket again, staring at it fixedly; his belief that it had some vital part in the mystery had become an obsession; but there was one thing about it that discouraged him--Joan Sheridan had shown no perturbation when he had produced it before her eyes.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
WIGGLYadjectiveUS /ˈwɪɡəli/
curved or curving in and out
From this reading WIGGLY REMAINS UNCONVINCED For all of his asserted confidence, which bordered upon boasting, Wiggly Price realized that he had a hard nut to crack.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Following a simple bit of logical reasoning, if the bit of tallow were so important as he insistently imagined, and if the girl had done the shooting, it was extremely strange that she had shown no signs of agitation when faced with this evidence.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He had been favorably impressed with the girl's face; she seemed to be a sane, well-balanced young person.
