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Wu Ting
How would you interpret ‘would have been all the better for a scrub’ in the fourth sentence?
How would you interpret the phrase ‘all the better’ in the context?
Thank you.
PS: the excerpt is taken from ‘Mr. Know-All’ written by W. Somerset Maugham.
the excerpt:
When I went on board I found Mr. Kelada’s luggage already below. I did not like the look of it; there were too many labels on the suit-cases, and the wardrobe trunk was too big. He had unpacked his toilet things, and I observed that he was a patron of the excellent Monsieur Coty; for I saw on the washing-stand his scent, his hair-wash and his brilliantine. Mr. Kelada’s brushes, ebony with his monogram in gold, would have been all the better for a scrub. I did not at all like Mr. Kelada. I made my way into the smoking-room. I called for a pack of cards and began to play patience. I had scarcely started before a man came up to me and asked me if he was right in thinking my name was so and so.
Oct 24, 2018 2:13 PM
Answers · 2
1
It means “made better by” or “improved by.” In other words, the brushes are dirty and in need of scrubbing/cleaning.
October 24, 2018
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Wu Ting
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English, French
Learning Language
English
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