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Our Mutual Friend
Our Mutual Friend

Chapter X

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Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Our Mutual Friend

Chapter X

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.
Line 2
His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.
Line 3
He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.
Line 4
One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.
Line 5
The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.”

Complete noun US /complete/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.”

All words in this reading · 90

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

accepted

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

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

affairs

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

all

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

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

better

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

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

breadth

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

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

completenounUS /complete/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

conduct

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

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

confided

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

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

content

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

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

depth

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

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

despatch

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

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

determining

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

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

Dustman

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

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

Dustman's

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

earnestness

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

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

employer

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

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

explanation

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

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

far

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

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

getting

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

Golden

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

hand

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

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

information

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

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

inquisitive

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

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

intrusive

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

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

knowledge

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

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

less

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

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

lost

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

made

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

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

man

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

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

mark

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

master

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

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

men

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

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

method

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

MINDERS

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

mistrusted

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

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

piece

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

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

RE-MINDERS

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

second

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

From this reading He accepted no information or explanation at second hand, but made himself the master of everything confided to him.

Secretary

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

Secretary's

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

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

set

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

soon

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

special

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

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

submitted

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

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

transacting

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

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

underlying

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

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

understanding

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

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

vigilance

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading His earnestness in determining to understand the length and breadth and depth of every piece of work submitted to him by his employer, was as special as his despatch in transacting it.

whole

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

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading One part of the Secretary’s conduct, underlying all the rest, might have been mistrusted by a man with a better knowledge of men than the Golden Dustman had.

work

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

From this reading MINDERS AND RE-MINDERS The Secretary lost no time in getting to work, and his vigilance and method soon set their mark on the Golden Dustman’s affairs.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading The Secretary was as far from being inquisitive or intrusive as Secretary could be, but nothing less than a complete understanding of the whole of the affairs would content him.