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A Bookful of Girls
A Bookful of Girls

Chapter IX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.
Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.
Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.
Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.
It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Bookful of Girls

Chapter IX

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.
Line 2
Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.
Line 3
Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.
Line 4
Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.
Line 5
It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.”

Beneath preposition US /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading “Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.”

Hers pronoun US /hərz/

the one or ones belonging to her

From this reading “A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.”

MERRY noun US /merry/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.”

Remained noun US /ˈremained/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.”

All words in this reading · 109

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

Beatrice

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

BeneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

brother-in-law

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

came

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

CHRISTMAS

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

Clapp

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

Compton

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

Compton's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

curiosity

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

customer

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

December

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

doing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

enthusiastic

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

extolled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

eyes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

few

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

find

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

friends

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

genius

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

girl

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

hair

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

halves

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

happened

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

herspronounUS /hərz/

the one or ones belonging to her

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

home

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

Horace

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

idea-vendor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

idle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

incurious

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

interest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

listeners

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

lurked

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

many

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

marketing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

MERRY

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

Miss

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

motive

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

Mr

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

new

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

OfprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

originality

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

paragon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

paying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

plucky

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

Polly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

Polly's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

porch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

pretext

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

purpose

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

rather

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

remainednounUS /ˈremained/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

seek

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

shamefaced

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

sitting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

skill

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

stirred

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

stranger

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

sweetness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

taking

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From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

talked

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading It happened, therefore, one morning in December, that Polly came home from her marketing to find a stranger sitting in her porch.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

thus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

turn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

unmoved

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

visit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Beneath the pretext he found for paying the visit lurked a rather shamefaced purpose of doing this "plucky little genius" a good turn.

warm-hearted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

warmer

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

wit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Miss Beatrice was a warm-hearted and enthusiastic girl, who never did anything by halves; and when she talked of Polly, of Polly's skill and of Polly's originality, when she extolled Polly's eyes and Polly's hair, Polly's wit and Polly's sweetness, few listeners remained quite unmoved and incurious.

young

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A MERRY CHRISTMAS Of all Polly's new friends, not one took a warmer interest in the young idea-vendor than that first customer of hers, Miss Beatrice Compton.

youthful

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Among the many who were thus stirred to seek out this youthful paragon, was Miss Compton's brother-in-law, Mr. Horace Clapp. Nor was an idle curiosity his only motive in taking the step.