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The Strollers
The Strollers

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for The Strollers
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.
"Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"
Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.
"Curse the story; telling it led to this!
How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.
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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.

The Strollers

Chapter XII

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.
Line 2
"Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"
Line 3
Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.
Line 4
"Curse the story; telling it led to this!
Line 5
How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.”

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.”

Muttered verb US /ˈmʌtərd/

spoke in a low voice that was difficult to hear

From this reading “AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.”

Whipped noun US /ˈwhipped/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “"Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.”

All words in this reading · 89

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 AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

abductor

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

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

abide

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

almost

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

ANdeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

apprehension

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

bent

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

can't

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

coach

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

colonies

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

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

countenance

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

Curse

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

From this reading "Curse the story; telling it led to this!

cushions

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

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

dark

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

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

driven

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

ECCENTRIC

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

England

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

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

face

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

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

figure

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

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

flame-color

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

flush

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

Gloomily

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

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

going

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

hand

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

HerenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

highway

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

How

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

hue

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

hung

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Curse the story; telling it led to this!

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

ivory

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

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

jackal

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

JAILER

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

lady

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

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

led

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

From this reading "Curse the story; telling it led to this!

like

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

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

lord

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

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

lost

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

man

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

motionless

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

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

much

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

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/

spoke in a low voice that was difficult to hear

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

natural

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

opposite

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

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

patroon's

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

predicament

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

rapidly

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

regarding

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

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

salmon

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

Scroggs

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

seat

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

From this reading Gloomily regarding a motionless figure on the seat opposite, and a face like ivory against the dark cushions.

sex

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

shade

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

small

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

snow

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

sped

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

story

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

From this reading "Curse the story; telling it led to this!

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

telling

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

From this reading "Curse the story; telling it led to this!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

whippednounUS /ˈwhipped/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading "Here am I as much an abductor as my lord who whipped his lady from England to the colonies!"

white

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

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading AN ECCENTRIC JAILER "For a man who can't abide the sex, this _is_ a predicament," muttered the patroon's jackal, as the coach in which he found himself sped rapidly along the highway.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading How white she is; like driven snow; almost as if--" And Scroggs, whose countenance lost a shade of its natural flush, going from flame-color to salmon hue, bent with sudden apprehension over a small hand which hung from the seat.