Chapter XIV

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

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

the state of being absent

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

(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 Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

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

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

accomplishment of an objective

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

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

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

brought into existence

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

a state at a particular time

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

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

From this reading They were all at it, Mrs. Harwood with her crewels, Janet with something else.

placed crosswise

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

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

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

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

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

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

From this reading They were all at it, Mrs. Harwood with her crewels, Janet with something else.

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

divisible by two

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

extremely annoying or displeasing

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

an opening that permits escape or release

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

for a limitless time

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

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

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

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

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

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

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

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

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

come to pass

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

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

From this reading They were all at it, Mrs. Harwood with her crewels, Janet with something else.

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

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

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

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

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

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

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

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

ten 10s

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

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

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

characteristic of or resembling Hell

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

-ing form of “inspect” — look over carefully

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

situated within or suitable for inside a building

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

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

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

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

From this reading They were all at it, Mrs. Harwood with her crewels, Janet with something else.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

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

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

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

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

United States civil rights leader whose college registration caused riots in traditionally segregated Mississippi (born in 1933)

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

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

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading They were all at it, Mrs. Harwood with her crewels, Janet with something else.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

above and across; more than

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

set aside for the use of a particular person or party

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

joining or attaching by stitches

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

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

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading They were all at it, Mrs. Harwood with her crewels, Janet with something else.

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

not in physical motion

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

in a tacit manner; by unexpressed agreement

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

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

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

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

From this reading They were all at it, Mrs. Harwood with her crewels, Janet with something else.

a special situation

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

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

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

not seen or observed

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

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

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

under normal conditions

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

liable to or capable of change

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

someone who visits

From this reading It startled him a little to find in how like its ordinary condition everything was, and how little sign of the absence of a habitual visitor was about the place.

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

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

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

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

in or at the place that

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

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

From this reading Meredith paused at the door inspecting the quiet interior thus thrown open to him--in which he was not looked for, and where, accordingly, his arrival remained unobserved--the doors being all open still for the exit of Dolff.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They were all at it, Mrs. Harwood with her crewels, Janet with something else.

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

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.

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

From this reading There were a hundred signs of Dolff, but even the place near Gussy usually though tacitly reserved for himself was filled up, and Gussy sat at the eternal woman’s work which, in some circumstances, is so exasperating to a man, as composed as if he had never crossed her horizon.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He wondered, half-angrily, if they would go on forever with their heads bowed over that infernal sewing whatever might happen, even that quick little thing, that creature born under more variable skies, the governess.