Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

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

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading He and his wife were amiably inclined toward the Littletons, and were proud of the acquaintance.

a proposal for an appropriate course of action

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up

From this reading Among their other friends they boasted of the delightful excursions into the literary circle which the intimacy afforded them.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

in an affable manner

From this reading He and his wife were amiably inclined toward the Littletons, and were proud of the acquaintance.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Among their other friends they boasted of the delightful excursions into the literary circle which the intimacy afforded them.

to an ample degree or in an ample manner

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

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

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

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

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

past form of “bestow” — present

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

past form of “boast” — show off

From this reading Among their other friends they boasted of the delightful excursions into the literary circle which the intimacy afforded them.

the two together, not just one

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading Among their other friends they boasted of the delightful excursions into the literary circle which the intimacy afforded them.

in a cajoling manner

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

plural of “crumb” — a very small quantity of something

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading Among their other friends they boasted of the delightful excursions into the literary circle which the intimacy afforded them.

(often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

the act of eating dinner

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

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

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

plural of “excursion” — a journey taken for pleasure

From this reading Among their other friends they boasted of the delightful excursions into the literary circle which the intimacy afforded them.

a boy or man

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

like down or as soft as down

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

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

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

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

From this reading Among their other friends they boasted of the delightful excursions into the literary circle which the intimacy afforded them.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

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

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

(Roman Catholic Church) a church father known for his constant fight against perceived heresies; a saint and Doctor of the Church (329-391)

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

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

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

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

From this reading He and his wife were amiably inclined toward the Littletons, and were proud of the acquaintance.

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

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

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

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

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

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

not practical; not workable or not given to practical matters

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

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

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading He and his wife were amiably inclined toward the Littletons, and were proud of the acquaintance.

an occurrence of something

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

close or warm friendship

From this reading Among their other friends they boasted of the delightful excursions into the literary circle which the intimacy afforded them.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Among their other friends they boasted of the delightful excursions into the literary circle which the intimacy afforded them.

without good reason

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

of or relating to or characteristic of literature

From this reading Among their other friends they boasted of the delightful excursions into the literary circle which the intimacy afforded them.

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

From this reading He and his wife were amiably inclined toward the Littletons, and were proud of the acquaintance.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

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

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

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

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

a form of address for a man

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Among their other friends they boasted of the delightful excursions into the literary circle which the intimacy afforded them.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

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

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading He and his wife were amiably inclined toward the Littletons, and were proud of the acquaintance.

past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

possessing material wealth

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

a town in central Alabama on the Alabama river; in 1965 it was the center of a drive to register Black voters

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

plural of “share” — assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

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

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

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

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

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

From this reading Among their other friends they boasted of the delightful excursions into the literary circle which the intimacy afforded them.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

plural of “tip” — the extreme end of something; especially something pointed

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

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

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

in the direction of

From this reading He and his wife were amiably inclined toward the Littletons, and were proud of the acquaintance.

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

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

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

From this reading Among their other friends they boasted of the delightful excursions into the literary circle which the intimacy afforded them.

which person or people

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading He and his wife were amiably inclined toward the Littletons, and were proud of the acquaintance.

United States country singer and songwriter (1923-1953)

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

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

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The Williamses were dining with them at the time, and a statement by Gregory, not altogether without motive, as to the profits made by several people who had taken his advice, called forth the question.

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

From this reading They both would have been pleased to see their neighbors more amply provided with money, and Gregory, partly at the instance of Flossy, partly from sheer good-humor in order to give a deserving but impractical fellow a chance to better himself, threw out tips from time to time--crumbs from the rich man's table, but bestowed in a friendly spirit.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

but in spite of that

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Why don't you follow the advice of Mr. Williams and buy some shares of stock?" asked Selma lightly, yet coaxingly, of her husband one day in the third year of their marriage.