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Newguest Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary

But a very few ..../mean that

Hello

That was the remarkable thing about Rose; she saw things clearly and unsentimentally. She had given her life and her money to Africa’s service, but she was entirely disillusioned about all but a very few of the people themselves. On that occasion, having made that gloomy forecast, she had immediately recanted and said:
‘I don’t mean that. I needed the Hospital and God gave
it to me. When I need and have qualified for a cottage, I
shall have that, too, no doubt.

1. She was disillusioned about all but a very few of the people themselves. I don't get the second part?

2. Does "I don't mean that" mean "I didn't speak seriously" or something like this? She spoke about Africa and said that she would die here because no one would help her when needed.that.
  

Top answer

1. She was devoted to serving the country, but most of the people disappointed her. all but a very few of the people themselves .

  • 1.
  • She was devoted to serving the country, but most of the people disappointed her.
  • all but a very few of the people themselves .
  • The expression "the people themselves " acknowledges that serving the country probably amounts to serving the people, but she was conflicted about it.
  • " 2.
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3 Answers
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1. She was devoted to serving the country, but most of the people disappointed her.

all but a very few of the people themselves. The expression "the people themselves" acknowledges that serving the country probably amounts to serving the people, but she was conflicted about it. (the people as individuals)

"A
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Hi

So she was simply dissilusioned about most of the people she worked with or worked for.

One more question:

I needed the Hospital and *** gave
it to me. When I need and have qualified for a cottage, I
shall have that, too, no doubt.

Does "qualify" mean here "deserve"?
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NewguestDoes "qualify" mean here "deserve"?
Approximately.
"Deserve" is more of a value judgement.

"Qualify" usually refers to a strict pre-established set of rules.

The banker tells you that you don't qualify for the loan. (You don't meet the specific requirements.)

But you may deserve it, as a nice, or needy pers

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