Paul Verlaine French poet (1844-96); considered one of the greatest poets of the nineteenth century.
peat decayed, partly decomposed grass and weeds matter found in bogs; it is used for fertilizer.
peroxide a substance such as sodium peroxide that cleanses a wound.
pesata a coin of small value.
a plug of tobacco a dense piece of chewing tobacco.
quid slang for the British pound, a currency that — at the time of this story — was worth approximately five dollars.
Richard Feverel an 1859 novel by the British author George Meredith.
