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A Man's Man
A Man's Man

Chapter XVIII

Cover illustration for A Man's Man
Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.
She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.
It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.
Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.
To her entered suddenly Jno.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Man's Man

Chapter XVIII

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.
Line 2
She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.
Line 3
It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.
Line 4
Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.
Line 5
To her entered suddenly Jno.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “_EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.”

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.”

Expecting verb US /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/

thinking that somebody or something will arrive

From this reading “Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “_EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.”

Maiden noun, literary US /ˈmeɪdən/

a young woman who is not married

From this reading “Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.”

Reasons noun US /ˈreasons/

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

From this reading “It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “To her entered suddenly Jno.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.”

All words in this reading · 99

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 _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

absence

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.

altitude

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

any

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

arrived

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

From this reading She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

brother

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

brow

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.

canvas

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

chair

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

cocked

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

conveyed

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

deal

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

dissipation

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

entered

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

From this reading To her entered suddenly Jno.

evening

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

EX

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

expectingverbUS /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/

thinking that somebody or something will arrive

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

explained

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

fact

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

fatigued

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

finished

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

From this reading She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

front

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

fully

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

Gaymer

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

Hughie

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

Hughie's

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

Jno

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

From this reading To her entered suddenly Jno.

Joan

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

Joan's

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

just

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

From this reading She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.

Lance

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

lawn

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

letter

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

From this reading She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.

MACHINA

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

maidennoun, literaryUS /ˈmeɪdən/

a young woman who is not married

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

Manors

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

marriage

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

meditation

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

Miss

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

moment

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

more

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

motion

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

night's

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

own

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

perhaps

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

pleasantly

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

post

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

From this reading She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.

previous

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

probably

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

profundity

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

proposal

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

proposer

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

puckered

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

reading

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

From this reading She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.

reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

received

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

reclined

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

second

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.

shoes

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

small

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

stool

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading To her entered suddenly Jno.

surveyed

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _EX MACHINA_ Miss Joan Gaymer, pleasantly fatigued after last night's dissipation, reclined in a canvas chair on the lawn at Manors.

thoughtfully

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

tips

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

unladylike

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading She had just finished reading a letter which had arrived by the afternoon post.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Joan's brow was puckered thoughtfully, and she surveyed the tips of her small shoes, which were cocked at an unladylike altitude upon a stool in front of her, with a profundity of maiden meditation which was perhaps explained by the fact that she had received a proposal of marriage the evening before, and was expecting the proposer to come and second his own motion at any moment.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading It was from her brother Lance, and conveyed, probably a good deal more fully than Hughie himself would have done, the reasons for Hughie's absence on the previous evening.