Word: vainly
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...latch had broken and that he was locked up for the night. It was past eight o' clock on Saturday evening, and the passers-by were few and far between. With the calmness of desperation, he took off his rubbers and backed up against the door. He tried in vain to break it open. Then he kicked with his right foot till he was tired. Then with his left. Then he shouted till the whole entry reverberated. Finally, he heard steps hurrying in response to his cries; a hand touched the knob outside, and the door opened inward, nearly knocking...
...have spoken of publishers. Of the guild of middle-men or retailers we would like to say, from experience, that buyers will find it to their advantage to proceed with extreme caution in making bargains, for among these men "the tricks that are vain" are as many and various as those of our friend in the poem...
...vain the promised vessel to descry...
...beware how he ventures to assume this character, if it is not inborn. It is not an easy part to assume, and all labor will be in vain unless there exist a priori some natural adaptation for it. One must learn to have perfect control of himself, his watchfulness must never relax; for one little word, one involuntary smile, may destroy a reputation which it has taken years to acquire. The world does not ask for truth, does not ask if a character be genuine; but it does ask that it be consistent with itself...
...rosy hues of hope are often vain...