Chapter X

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

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

past form of “accost” — speak to someone

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

later than; following

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

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

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

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

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

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

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

react verbally

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

tree (as opposed to shrub)

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

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

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

make a resonant sound, like artillery

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

inflected form of “clap” — put quickly or forcibly

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

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

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

without stop or interruption

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

in a composed and unconcerned manner

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

like a coquette

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

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

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

bringing death

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

comparative of “firm” — marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

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

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

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

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

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

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

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

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

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

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

a sweet yellow liquid produced by bees

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

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

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

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

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading SHE MUST KEEP THE SECRET.

inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

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

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

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

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

a female domestic

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

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

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

a man servant

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

by chance

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

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

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading SHE MUST KEEP THE SECRET.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

an uneasy psychological state

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

not any; not one

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

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

From this reading “Ouch! what was that?”

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

above and across; more than

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

a firearm that is held and fired with one hand

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

an agreeable or amusing remark

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

get something; come into possession of

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading SHE MUST KEEP THE SECRET.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading SHE MUST KEEP THE SECRET.

the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

sharp piercing cry

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

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

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

a person, without saying who

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Ouch! what was that?”

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

From this reading SHE MUST KEEP THE SECRET.

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

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

not discovered

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

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

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

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

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

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

From this reading No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “Ouch! what was that?”

at the time that

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

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

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

during the time that

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

belonging to which person

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking:

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.”