Chapter XIV

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

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

(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 Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

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

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

eagerly desirous

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

(Greek mythology) Greek god of light; god of prophecy and poetry and music and healing; son of Zeus and Leto; twin brother of Artemis

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

-ing form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

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

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

the shedding of blood resulting in murder

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

the two together, not just one

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading His mind was full of care for Natalie and all her family.

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

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

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

From this reading CHARLIE'S FIRST DAY IN SCHLUSSELBERG.

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

a speech sound that is not a vowel

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

the child of your aunt or uncle

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading CHARLIE'S FIRST DAY IN SCHLUSSELBERG.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or responsibility

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

plural of “drinker” — a person who drinks liquids

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

possessing an education (especially having more than average knowledge)

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

a social unit living together

From this reading His mind was full of care for Natalie and all her family.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading CHARLIE'S FIRST DAY IN SCHLUSSELBERG.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

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

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

plural of “gambler” — a person who wagers money on the outcome of games or sporting events

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

the production of young from an egg

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

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

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading His mind was full of care for Natalie and all her family.

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

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

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

From this reading CHARLIE'S FIRST DAY IN SCHLUSSELBERG.

in a keen or penetrating way

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

the force of workers available

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

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

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading His mind was full of care for Natalie and all her family.

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

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

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

From this reading His mind was full of care for Natalie and all her family.

not one, and not any

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

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

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

the act of punishing

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

plural of “rampart” — an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

a native or inhabitant of Russia

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

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

From this reading CHARLIE'S FIRST DAY IN SCHLUSSELBERG.

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

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

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

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

a British commissioned army officer below the rank of captain

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

coming after or following

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

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

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

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

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

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

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

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

From this reading He sorrowed keenly for his two friends Basil Mierowitz and Apollo Usakoff, for both were polished and educated gentlemen, men of a class and style more common in some corps of the Russian army now, than in those days.

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

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

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

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

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

From this reading His mind was full of care for Natalie and all her family.

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

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.

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

From this reading Some desperate and revengeful plot, of which the desertion of her brother and of his cousin Usakoff was but the beginning, the means to an end, was certainly hatching--a plot that might too surely end in bloodshed, in the savage punishment and the ruin of all.

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

From this reading Full of anxious thoughts, he passed more than half of the succeeding day on the ramparts of the castled-prison, alone, avoiding Colonel Bernikoff, Captain Vlasfief, and their subaltern, Tschekin, none of whom were consonant to his taste, for all were deep gamblers and heavy drinkers.