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April Hopes
April Hopes

Chapter X

Cover illustration for April Hopes
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.
This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.
They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.
He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.
He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of 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.

April Hopes

Chapter X

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.
Line 2
This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.
Line 3
They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.
Line 4
He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.
Line 5
He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.”

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.”

Journey noun US /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading “He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.”

Mysterious adjective US /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading “He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.”

All words in this reading · 96

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

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

all

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

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

appear

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

arrival

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

From this reading The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.

away

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

back

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

bag

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

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

best

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

brother's

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

From this reading The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

came

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

certainly

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

From this reading He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

coming

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

curiosity

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

Dan

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

down

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

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.

engagement

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

Eunice

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

excitement

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

From this reading The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.

father

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

From this reading The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.

flaming

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

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

full

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

From this reading He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.

gas

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

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

get

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

got

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

From this reading The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.

grime

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

heat

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

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

house

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

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

how

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.

indoors

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

From this reading The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

journeynounUS /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

knew

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.

moment

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

mother

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

From this reading He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.

mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

naphtha

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

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

natural

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.

out

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

parried

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

perfectly

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

planning

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

recollected

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

From this reading He recollected that he had not asked either them or his father how his mother was, but it was certainly not because his mind was not full of her.

room

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

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

said

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

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

sister

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

sisters

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

speak

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

steam

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

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

then

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

there

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.

together

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

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

unnoticed

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

From this reading The father got himself indoors unnoticed in the excitement of the brother's arrival.

very

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

washed

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

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading He knew that he had left them to think that there was something very mysterious in his coming, and while he washed away the grime of his journey he was planning how to appear perfectly natural when he should get back to his sisters.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading They all went together into the house flaming with naphtha gas, and with the steam heat already on, and Dan said he would take his bag to his room, and then come down again.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading This would have been the best moment for Dan to tell his sister of his engagement; he knew it, but he parried her curiosity about his coming; and then his sister Eunice came out, and he could not speak.