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A Prairie Courtship
A Prairie Courtship

Chapter VII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
This surmise, as it happened, was quite correct.
She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Prairie Courtship

Chapter VII

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.
Line 2
During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.
Line 3
He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.
Line 4
This surmise, as it happened, was quite correct.
Line 5
She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.

Learner Dictionary

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

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This surmise, as it happened, was quite correct.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.”

All words in this reading · 102

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 USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

admitted

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

air

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

Alison's

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

From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.

all

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

altogether

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

announced

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

away

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

certain

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

From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.

company

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

contrived

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

cookery

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

cool

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

correct

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

From this reading This surmise, as it happened, was quite correct.

crept

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

days

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

dinner

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

drove

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

dusk

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

enjoying

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

evening

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

explain

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

favored

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

felt

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

FRIEND

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

happened

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

From this reading This surmise, as it happened, was quite correct.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

homestead

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

host

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

hostess

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

Hunter

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.

inclined

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

intention

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

interest

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

From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

just

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

laid

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

later

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

man

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

From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.

meal

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.

Mrs

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

night

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

other

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

out

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

own

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

people's

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

prairie

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

preferred

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

purpose

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

From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This surmise, as it happened, was quite correct.

reach

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

sake

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

sat

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.

some

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

staying

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

supper

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

supposed

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

surmise

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

From this reading This surmise, as it happened, was quite correct.

taken

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

From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

there

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This surmise, as it happened, was quite correct.

Thorne

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

up

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

USEFUL

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

veranda

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

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

visit

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

From this reading She had another purpose in her mind, for since Alison's visit she had taken a certain interest in the man.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A USEFUL FRIEND Thorne drove away after dinner and, for it must be admitted that he preferred other people's cookery to his own, he contrived to reach the Hunter homestead just as supper was being laid out one evening some days later.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

why

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading During the meal he announced his intention of staying all night, but he did not explain what had brought him there until he sat with his host and hostess on the veranda while dusk crept up across the prairie.

wonder

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

From this reading He felt inclined to wonder why Mrs. Hunter had favored them with her company, for he supposed that it was not altogether for the sake of enjoying the cool evening air.