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Adrienne Toner: A Novel
Adrienne Toner: A Novel

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of Adrienne Toner: A Novel is here in full — 171 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.
The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.
Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.
A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.
It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Adrienne Toner: A Novel

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of Adrienne Toner: A Novel is here in full — 171 sentences across 35 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.
Line 2
The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.
Line 3
Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.
Line 4
A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.
Line 5
It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

conformity noun US /kənˈfɔːrməti/

correspondence in form or appearance

From this reading “It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.”

doves noun US /dʌvz/

plural of “dove” — any of numerous small pigeons

From this reading “Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.”

fondly adverb US /ˈfɑːndli/

with fondness; with love

From this reading “Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.”

glib adjective US /ɡlɪb/

marked by lack of intellectual depth

From this reading “It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.”

primroses noun US /ˈprɪmroʊzəz/

plural of “primrose” — any of numerous short-stemmed plants of the genus Primula having tufted basal leaves and showy flowers clustered in umbels or heads

From this reading “A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.”

tucked adjective US /tʌkt/

having tucked or being tucked

From this reading “The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.”

Turner noun US /ˈtɜːrnər/

United States slave and insurrectionist who in 1831 led a rebellion of slaves in Virginia; he was captured and executed (1800-1831)

From this reading “Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.”

whimsical adjective US /ˈwɪmzɪkəl/

determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason

From this reading “It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

garden wall noun + noun

In this reading “The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.”

hung above verb + particle counted as “hang above”

In this reading “A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.”

own standard verb + adjective

In this reading “It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.”

at an angle preposition + article + noun counted as “at … angle”

In this reading “The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.”

stood there verb + particle

In this reading “The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.”

looked out verb + adjective counted as “look out”

be vigilant, be on the lookout or be careful

In this reading “The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.”

talk with verb + particle

In this reading “"I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.”

bring into verb + particle

In this reading “It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.”

All words in this reading · 126

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

anglenounUS /ˈæŋɡəl/

the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

bowlnounUS /boʊl/

a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

bringverbUS /brɪŋ/

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

burningnounUS /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/

the act of burning something

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/

object formed by a mold

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

causingnounUS /ˈkɑːzɪŋ/

the act of causing something to happen

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

Chadwick

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

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

Chadwick's

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

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

chairnounUS /tʃer/

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

charmnounUS /tʃɑːrm/

attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

conformitynounUS /kənˈfɔːrməti/

correspondence in form or appearance

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

daringnounUS /ˈderɪŋ/

a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

dining-roomnoun

a room used for dining

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

distressnounUS /dɪˈstres/

psychological suffering

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

dove-cot

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

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

dovesnounUS /dʌvz/

plural of “dove” — any of numerous small pigeons

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

drawing-room

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

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

dressverbUS /dres/

put on clothes

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

drewnounUS /druː/

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

enteringnounUS /ˈentərɪŋ/

a movement into or inward

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

fednounUS /fed/

any federal law-enforcement officer

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/

start firing a weapon

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

flutteringnounUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/

the motion made by flapping up and down

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

fondlyadverbUS /ˈfɑːndli/

with fondness; with love

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

gardennounUS /ˈɡɑːrdən/

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

glibadjectiveUS /ɡlɪb/

marked by lack of intellectual depth

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

hallnounUS /hɔːl/

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

hungverbUS /hʌŋ/

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

huntingnounUS /ˈhʌntɪŋ/

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/

contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

looksnounUS /lʊks/

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

mantelpiecenoun

shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

missverbUS /mɪs/

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

morning-room

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

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

murmuredverbUS /ˈmɜːrmərd/

past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

paintedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪntɪd/

coated with paint

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

painternounUS /ˈpeɪntər/

an artist who paints

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

parlourmaidnoun

a maid in a private home whose duties are to care for the parlor and the table and to answer the door

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

placingverbUS /ˈpleɪsɪŋ/

-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

pleasantadjectiveUS /ˈplezənt/

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

portraitnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrət/

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

portraitsnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrəts/

plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

primrosesnounUS /ˈprɪmroʊzəz/

plural of “primrose” — any of numerous short-stemmed plants of the genus Primula having tufted basal leaves and showy flowers clustered in umbels or heads

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

retreatnounUS /riˈtriːt/

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

Roger

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

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

specialadjectiveUS /ˈspeʃəl/

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

standardadjectiveUS /ˈstændərd/

conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

talkverbUS /tɔːk/

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

teanounUS /tiː/

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

therebyadverbUS /ˈðerˈbaɪ/

by that means or because of that

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

tuckedadjectiveUS /tʌkt/

having tucked or being tucked

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

TurnernounUS /ˈtɜːrnər/

United States slave and insurrectionist who in 1831 led a rebellion of slaves in Virginia; he was captured and executed (1800-1831)

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

unableadjectiveUS /əˈneɪbəl/

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

unintelligence

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

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

usuallyadverbUS /ˈjuːʒəwəli/

under normal conditions

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

wallnounUS /wɔːl/

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The dining-room opened at one end of the hall and the drawing-room at the other and the morning-room, Mrs. Chadwick's special retreat, into which she now drew him, was tucked in behind the dining-room and looked out at an angle of the garden wall and at the dove-cot that stood there.

whimsicaladjectiveUS /ˈwɪmzɪkəl/

determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason

From this reading It was painted with the same glib unintelligence as the dining-room portraits, but the painter had been unable to miss entirely the whimsical daring of the eyes or to bring into conformity with his own standard of good looks the charm of the irregular and narrow face.

whitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading A pleasant little fire was burning there and, after placing her primroses in the white bowl, Mrs. Chadwick drew her chair to it, casting a glance, as she did so, up at the large portrait of her husband in hunting dress that hung above the mantelpiece.

windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Mrs. Chadwick's doves were usually fluttering about the window and even, when it was open, entering the room, where she sometimes fondly fed them, causing thereby much distress of mind to Turner, the good old parlourmaid.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I do so want a talk with you, Roger," Mrs. Chadwick murmured to him when tea was over.

Chapter 7 of Adrienne Toner: A Novel by Anne Douglas Sedgwick holds 171 sentences, grouped into 35 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 7 of Adrienne Toner: A Novel contain?

Chapter 7 holds 171 sentences of Adrienne Toner: A Novel, unabridged, divided into 35 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of Adrienne Toner: A Novel by Anne Douglas Sedgwick exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 171 sentences, grouped into 35 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 7 of Adrienne Toner: A Novel?

Work through the 35 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 35 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Adrienne Toner: A Novel

Common questions about reading Adrienne Toner: A Novel by Anne Douglas Sedgwick on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Adrienne Toner: A Novel?

Yes. All 7553 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #42428 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Adrienne Toner: A Novel is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #42428, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Adrienne Toner: A Novel take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1511 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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How to work through Adrienne Toner: A Novel section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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Vocabulary met early in Adrienne Toner: A Novel

Words and structures a reader meets early in Adrienne Toner: A Novel, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Adrienne Toner: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Christmas
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Adrienne Toner: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Roses
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Adrienne Toner: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Other
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Adrienne Toner: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.