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A Woman's Burden: A Novel
A Woman's Burden: A Novel

Chapter II

Cover illustration for A Woman's Burden: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/51 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A STRANGE ARRANGEMENT.
When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
And, strange to say, they were admitted without parley.
Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Woman's Burden: A Novel

Chapter II

Reading 1/51 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A STRANGE ARRANGEMENT.
Line 2
When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.
Line 3
They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.
Line 4
And, strange to say, they were admitted without parley.
Line 5
Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.

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 “They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.”

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading “Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.”

Gentleman noun US /ˈgentleman/

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

From this reading “When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “And, strange to say, they were admitted without parley.”

All words in this reading · 76

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

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A STRANGE ARRANGEMENT.

admitted

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

From this reading And, strange to say, they were admitted without parley.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

apparently

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

appeared

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

ARRANGEMENT

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

From this reading A STRANGE ARRANGEMENT.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

care

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

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

conceivably

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

decorous

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

demand

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.

disreputable

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

door

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

dues

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

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

early

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

elderly

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

expected

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

From this reading Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.

female

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

gratitude

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

hostelry

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

hours

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

inconsiderable

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

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

lodging

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

means

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

Miriam

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

From this reading Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.

misunderstood

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

night's

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

Now

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

From this reading Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

out

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

parley

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

From this reading And, strange to say, they were admitted without parley.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

philanthropy

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

pilotage

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

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

policeman

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

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

pure

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

ran

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

reception

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

From this reading Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.

respectable

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

risk

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

say

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

From this reading And, strange to say, they were admitted without parley.

sedate

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

STRANGE

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

From this reading A STRANGE ARRANGEMENT.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

vastly

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

From this reading Now Miriam had expected a vastly different reception.

very

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They had been passed on from policeman to policeman with every care, though the pilotage dues were by no means inconsiderable.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

wholly

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

wing

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

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When, conceivably out of gratitude and pure philanthropy, this respectable elderly gentleman took this apparently disreputable, and, by no means elderly female, under his wing, and in the early morning hours appeared at the door of a sedate and wholly decorous hostelry, with a demand for a night's lodging for them both, he ran a very great risk of being misunderstood.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading And, strange to say, they were admitted without parley.