. . . "of all the beastly, slushy, out-of-the-way places to live in, this is the worst. Pathway's a bog, and the road's a torrent." (par. 6)

The definition of "torrent" is:

The old man rose with hospitable haste, and opening the door, was heard condoling with the new arrival. The new arrival also condoled with himself . . . (par. 10)

The definition of "condoling" is:

. . . her husband entered the room, followed by a tall, burly man, beady of eye and rubicund of visage. (par. 10)

The definition of "visage" is:

. . . he squared his broad shoulders in the chair and spoke of wild scenes and doughty deeds; of wars and plagues and strange peoples. (par. 13)

The definition of "doughty" is:

"Twenty-one years of it," said Mr. White, nodding at his wife and son. "When he went away he was a slip of a youth in the ware house. Now look at him." (par. 14)

The meaning of "slip" in this context is:

"I should like to see those old temples and fakirs and jugglers," said the old man. (par. 18)

The definition of "fakir" is:

He took something out of his pocket and proffered it. Mrs. White drew back with a grimace, but her son, taking it, examined it curiously. (par. 24)

The definition of "grimace" is:

"Better let it burn," said the soldier, solemnly. (par. 40)

The definition of "solemnly" is:

"I won't," said his friend, doggedly. "I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, don't blame me for what happens. (par. 42)

The definition of "doggedly" is:

Her husband drew the talisman from pocket, and then all three burst into laughter as the sergeant-major, with a look of alarm on his face, caught him by the arm. (par. 46)

The definition of "talisman" is:

. . . and afterward the three sat listening in an enthralled fashion to a second installment of the soldier's adventures in India. (par. 48)

The definition of "enthralled" is:

"Did you give him anything for it, father?" inquired Mrs. White, regarding her husband closely. "A trifle," said he, colouring slightly. "He didn't want it, but I made him take it. (par. 50-51)

The definition of "trifle" is:

His father, smiling shamefacedly at his own credulity, held up the talisman, as his son, with a solemn face, somewhat marred by a wink at his mother, sat down at the piano and struck a few impressive chords. (par. 56)

The definition of "credulity" is:

He sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. The last face was so horrible and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement. (par. 66)

The definition of "simian" is: