Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
A waif's progress
A waif's progress

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for A waif's progress
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.
The skirt of the deluge was quite enough for poor Miss Ransome.
The interview opened with an amenity which gave the keynote.
“Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”
No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 waif's progress

Chapter XX

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.
Line 2
The skirt of the deluge was quite enough for poor Miss Ransome.
Line 3
The interview opened with an amenity which gave the keynote.
Line 4
“Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”
Line 5
No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

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 “After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.””

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.””

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.””

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ““Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.””

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The skirt of the deluge was quite enough for poor Miss Ransome.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The skirt of the deluge was quite enough for poor Miss Ransome.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading ““Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.””

All words in this reading · 114

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 “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

acquiescent

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

address

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

all

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

amenity

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

From this reading The interview opened with an amenity which gave the keynote.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The interview opened with an amenity which gave the keynote.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

any

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

attempting

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

better

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

bolts

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

book

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

breaking

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

Camilla

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

care

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

character

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

conducted

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

conversation

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

courtship

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

deadliest

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

declined

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

deluge

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

From this reading The skirt of the deluge was quite enough for poor Miss Ransome.

devoted

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

dismiss

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

doing

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

Edward

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

enough

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

From this reading The skirt of the deluge was quite enough for poor Miss Ransome.

etiquette

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

feared

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The skirt of the deluge was quite enough for poor Miss Ransome.

framing

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

gave

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

From this reading The interview opened with an amenity which gave the keynote.

guide

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

head

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

housekeeper

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

hurricane

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

interview

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

From this reading The interview opened with an amenity which gave the keynote.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

keynote

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

From this reading The interview opened with an amenity which gave the keynote.

Levin

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

lost

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

made

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

Miss

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

From this reading The skirt of the deluge was quite enough for poor Miss Ransome.

Mrs

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

news

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

once

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

opened

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

From this reading The interview opened with an amenity which gave the keynote.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

own

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

palliative

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

pearls

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

polite

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The skirt of the deluge was quite enough for poor Miss Ransome.

provided

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

put

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The skirt of the deluge was quite enough for poor Miss Ransome.

Ransome

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

From this reading The skirt of the deluge was quite enough for poor Miss Ransome.

receiving

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

reply

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

rush

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

said

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

scullery-maid

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

service

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

skirt

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

From this reading The skirt of the deluge was quite enough for poor Miss Ransome.

slow

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

speech

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

suitable

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

Tancred

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

thunderstorm

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

umbrella

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

up

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

useless

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

From this reading No etiquette book or guide to polite conversation having provided a suitable reply to such an address, Miss Ransome took it in acquiescent silence, not attempting to put up the umbrella of any useless palliative against the hurricane.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

way

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

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The interview opened with an amenity which gave the keynote.

wisely

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The interview opened with an amenity which gave the keynote.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”

word

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

wrath

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

From this reading After all, Edward was better than his word, doing what he had at first wisely declined to do, “breaking” the news to Camilla, and receiving on his own devoted head the first rush, the deadliest Levin bolts of the thunderstorm of her wrath.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Had a scullery-maid in my service,” Mrs. Tancred said, framing each word with such slow care, as if she feared even one of her pearls of speech should be lost--“had a scullery-maid in my service conducted her courtship in the way you have, I should have made my housekeeper dismiss her at once without a character.”