Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

later than; following

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

(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 Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

past form of “amount” — be tantamount or equivalent to

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

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

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

close fighting during the culmination of a military attack

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

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

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

plural of “boast” — speaking of yourself in superlatives

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

a period of 100 years

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

being attentive to women like an ideal knight

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

courtesy towards women

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

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

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

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

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

motivation based on ideas of right and wrong

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

-ing form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

the act of giving

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

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

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

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

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

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

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

plural of “hundred” — ten 10s

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

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

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

the quality of innocent naivete

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

past form of “insult” — treat, mention, or speak to rudely

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

the state of being a man; manly qualities

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

death that is imposed because of the person's adherence of a religious faith or cause

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

plural of “mob” — a disorderly crowd of people

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

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

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

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

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

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

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

not any; not one

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

not one, and not any

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

plural of “offender” — a person who transgresses moral or civil law

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

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

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

past form of “persecute” — cause to suffer

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

the activity of protecting someone or something

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

plural of “protector” — a person who cares for persons or property

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

one of four equal parts

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

except for; apart from

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

a building where young people receive education

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

relating to human society and its members

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

a state of acute pain

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

plural of “teacher” — a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

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

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

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

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

-ing form of “thread” — to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

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

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

in the direction of

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Their chivalrous protectors were hundreds of miles away in their northern homes, and yet they never feared any "great dark-faced mobs," they dared night or day to "go beyond their own roof trees."

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

not admitting of pardon

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

in an unselfish manner

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

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

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

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

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

a Caucasian

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

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

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

in the company of; together with

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading They were "Nigger teachers"--unpardonable offenders in the social ethics of the South, and were insulted, persecuted and ostracised, not by Negroes, but by the white manhood which boasts of its chivalry toward women.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Without protection, save that which innocence gives to every good woman, they went about their work, fearing no assault and suffering none.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading Threading their way through dense forests, working in schoolhouse, in the cabin and in the church, thrown at all times and in all places among the unfortunate and lowly Negroes, whom they had come to find and to serve, these northern women, thousands and thousands of them, have spent more than a quarter of a century in giving to the colored people their splendid lessons for home and heart and soul.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.

but in spite of that

From this reading And yet these northern women worked on, year after year, unselfishly, with a heroism which amounted almost to martyrdom.