Chapter II

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

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

a relationship less intimate than friendship

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

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

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

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

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

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

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

plural of “bag” — a flexible container with a single opening

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

informal or slang terms for mentally irregular

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

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

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

the quality of being direct and outspoken

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

the two together, not just one

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

uttered without voice

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

plural of “breath” — the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

a boy or man

From this reading "Reminds me of the old chap in that picture 'The Fisherman's Daughter'!"

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

give encouragement to

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

a small house with a single story

From this reading "We might open the cottage for a few days, Gates," I said, as we were getting into the motor.

a female human offspring

From this reading "Reminds me of the old chap in that picture 'The Fisherman's Daughter'!"

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

exercising influence or control

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

coming next after the tenth and just before the twelfth in position

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

at any time

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

a social unit living together

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading "We might open the cottage for a few days, Gates," I said, as we were getting into the motor.

possessive form of “fisherman” — someone whose occupation is catching fish

From this reading "Reminds me of the old chap in that picture 'The Fisherman's Daughter'!"

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "We might open the cottage for a few days, Gates," I said, as we were getting into the motor.

United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

usually; as a rule

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

the act of acquiring something

From this reading "We might open the cottage for a few days, Gates," I said, as we were getting into the motor.

the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

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

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

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

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

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

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

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

From this reading "Reminds me of the old chap in that picture 'The Fisherman's Daughter'!"

moving to the inside of something

From this reading "We might open the cottage for a few days, Gates," I said, as we were getting into the motor.

filled with a great quantity

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

the quality of being loyal

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

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

From this reading "Reminds me of the old chap in that picture 'The Fisherman's Daughter'!"

come together

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

a member of the extinct Algonquian people formerly living in northern Indiana and southern Michigan

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "We might open the cottage for a few days, Gates," I said, as we were getting into the motor.

used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English “Mr”

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion

From this reading "We might open the cottage for a few days, Gates," I said, as we were getting into the motor.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

of an obscure nature

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

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

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading "Reminds me of the old chap in that picture 'The Fisherman's Daughter'!"

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

To move from a closed position.

From this reading "We might open the cottage for a few days, Gates," I said, as we were getting into the motor.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading "Reminds me of the old chap in that picture 'The Fisherman's Daughter'!"

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

generally approved or compelling recognition

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

third-person singular of “remind” — put in the mind of someone

From this reading "Reminds me of the old chap in that picture 'The Fisherman's Daughter'!"

inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "We might open the cottage for a few days, Gates," I said, as we were getting into the motor.

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

a large beer glass

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

superlative of “smart” — showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

past form of “taste” — have flavor; taste of something

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Reminds me of the old chap in that picture 'The Fisherman's Daughter'!"

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

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

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

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

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

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

create by training and teaching

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

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

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

not liable to failure

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

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

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "We might open the cottage for a few days, Gates," I said, as we were getting into the motor.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

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

From this reading "We might open the cottage for a few days, Gates," I said, as we were getting into the motor.

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

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

a sudden desire

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

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

From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS MONSIEUR Ten days later Tommy and I--and Bilkins, whom I had begged of my father at the eleventh hour--stepped off the train at Miami, stretched our arms and breathed deep breaths of balmy air.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Gates, his ruddy face an augury of good cheer, was there to meet us, and as he started off well laden with a portion of our bags, Tommy whispered:

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

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

but in spite of that

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The description did fit Gates like an old glove, yet his most dominant characteristic was an unfailing loyalty to our family and an honest bluntness, both of which had become as generally recognized as his skill in handling the _Whim_--"the smartest schooner yacht," he would have told you on a two-minute acquaintanceship, "that ever tasted salt."