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A waif's progress
A waif's progress

Chapter XXVI

Cover illustration for A waif's progress
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.
In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.
In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.
In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.
“They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.
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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 waif's progress

Chapter XXVI

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.
Line 2
In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.
Line 3
In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.
Line 4
In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.
Line 5
“They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading ““They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.”

Cruel adjective US /ˈkruːəl/

causing pain or showing no kindness

From this reading “In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.”

Passage noun US /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading “In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading ““They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading ““They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading ““They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.”

All words in this reading · 131

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 In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

actually

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

allusion

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

announcement

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

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

await

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

Aylmer

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

Aylmers

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

banished

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

bear

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

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

better

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

bundling

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

case

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

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

caused

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

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

ceased

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

comment

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

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

completion

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

consent

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

conversation

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/

causing pain or showing no kindness

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

destructive

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

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

devastation

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

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

dimples

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

distortion

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

distracted

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

Dower

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

effect

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

entertained

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

face

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

fairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

family

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

few

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

friends

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

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

globe-circling

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

height

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

hours

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

House

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

idea

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

incidental

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

inconveniently

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

incredible

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

indeed

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

indignantly

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

less

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

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

lie

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

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

longer

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

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

marvellous

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

mid-process

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From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

more

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From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

Mrs

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From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

Nature

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From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

obligation

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

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

obvious

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

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

off

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

only

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

out

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

painful

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From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

passagenounUS /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

prescribed

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

punishing

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From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

quondam

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From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

really

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

rebuilding

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

recover

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

remove

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

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

restoration

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

resume

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

Riviera

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

roof-tree

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

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

seems

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

self-slaughter

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

set

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

shores

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

signs

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

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

simoom

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

smiles

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

sole

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

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

Stillington

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

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

subject

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

tacit

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

Tancred's

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

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

Toby

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

too

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

topic

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

From this reading In less than a week the Aylmers had not only ceased to be the only subject of conversation, but by tacit consent had been banished from it as too painful a topic for even incidental allusion.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

voyage

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading “They are punishing themselves more than me,” was Mrs. Tancred’s sole comment upon the announcement that her quondam friends could no longer bear to lie under the obligation of a roof-tree to her.

week

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

From this reading In the case of the Stillington simoom it took less than a week to remove the more obvious signs of the devastation it had caused in its destructive passage.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading In less than a week the distracted Toby, having thought better of--if, indeed, he had ever really entertained the idea of--self-slaughter, had actually set off on that globe-circling voyage which his cruel fair one had prescribed to him, and the rest of the Aylmer family were in mid-process of indignantly bundling out of the Dower House, to await inconveniently on the shores of the Riviera the completion of their rebuilding house.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading In the height of a simoom it seems incredible that the face of Nature should ever recover from its distortion and resume its smiles and dimples, yet a few hours effect this marvellous restoration.