advantagesnounUS /ædˈvæntɪdʒɪz/
plural of “advantage” — the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
(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 It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
appealsnounUS /əˈpiːlz/
plural of “appeal” — earnest or urgent request
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
astonishingadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
BeenounUS /biː/
any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading They thought of Charlie in his despair going off to the ends of the earth and never being seen more.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
brother'snounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
possessive form of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
Charlie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
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 Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
conjuredverbUS /ˈkɑːndʒərd/
past form of “conjure” — summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
crushverbUS /krʌʃ/
come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
culpritnounUS /ˈkʌlprɪt/
someone who perpetrates wrongdoing
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
defiantadjectiveUS /dɪˈfaɪənt/
boldly resisting authority or an opposing force
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading They thought of Charlie in his despair going off to the ends of the earth and never being seen more.
disappearancenounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading They thought of Charlie in his despair going off to the ends of the earth and never being seen more.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading They thought of Charlie in his despair going off to the ends of the earth and never being seen more.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
forgivenessnounUS /fərˈɡɪvnəs/
compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
made afraid
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
the act of departing
From this reading They thought of Charlie in his despair going off to the ends of the earth and never being seen more.
greetverbUS /ɡriːt/
express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They thought of Charlie in his despair going off to the ends of the earth and never being seen more.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
Kingsward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
Kingswarden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
a particular point in time
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They thought of Charlie in his despair going off to the ends of the earth and never being seen more.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading They thought of Charlie in his despair going off to the ends of the earth and never being seen more.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They thought of Charlie in his despair going off to the ends of the earth and never being seen more.
many times at short intervals
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
and nothing more
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
with speed
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
rebukeverbUS /riˈbjuːk/
censure severely or angrily
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
to say, state, or perform again
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
tablesnounUS /ˈteɪbəlz/
plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They thought of Charlie in his despair going off to the ends of the earth and never being seen more.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They thought of Charlie in his despair going off to the ends of the earth and never being seen more.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
well-deserved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The girls were frightened beyond description by their brother’s disappearance, and conjured up every dreadful image of disaster and misery.
at the time that
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I will not repeat the often described scene of anxiety which existed in Kingswarden for some time after.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading Colonel Kingsward returned, as Bee had done, to find that nothing had been seen or heard of Charlie, whom both had expected to find defiant and wretched at home.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading It is astonishing how quickly in such circumstances the tables are turned, and the young culprit--whom parents and friends have been ready to crush the moment he appears with well-deserved rebuke--becomes, when he does not appear, the object of the most eager appeals; forgiveness, and advantages of every kind all ready to greet him if only he will come back.
