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Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works
Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works
Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:
'How the buttons on his blue frock shone, tra-la-la!
How he carolled and he sang, like a bird!....'
Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.
The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:
Line 2
'How the buttons on his blue frock shone, tra-la-la!
Line 3
How he carolled and he sang, like a bird!....'
Line 4
Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.
Line 5
The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.”

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.”

Complete noun US /complete/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.”

All words in this reading · 95

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 DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

Adolf

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

almost

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading How he carolled and he sang, like a bird!....'

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

balmy

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

bird

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

From this reading How he carolled and he sang, like a bird!....'

blue

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

From this reading 'How the buttons on his blue frock shone, tra-la-la!

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

buttoned

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

buttons

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

From this reading 'How the buttons on his blue frock shone, tra-la-la!

carol

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

carolled

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

From this reading How he carolled and he sang, like a bird!....'

certain

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

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

completenounUS /complete/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

contemplated

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

day

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

dispensing

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

door

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

down

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

drawn

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

DRIVE

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

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

east

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

endeavouring

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

exactly

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

famous

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

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

felt

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

follows

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

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

form

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

frock

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

From this reading 'How the buttons on his blue frock shone, tra-la-la!

frock-coat

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading How he carolled and he sang, like a bird!....'

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading 'How the buttons on his blue frock shone, tra-la-la!

horses

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

How

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

From this reading 'How the buttons on his blue frock shone, tra-la-la!

hum

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

Hyde

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

June

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

like

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

From this reading How he carolled and he sang, like a bird!....'

lines

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

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

Mansions

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

old

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

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading 'How the buttons on his blue frock shone, tra-la-la!

out

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

overcoat

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

pardonably

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

Park

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

personable

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

put

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

run

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

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

sang

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

From this reading How he carolled and he sang, like a bird!....'

school's

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

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

sending

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

shine

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

shone

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

From this reading 'How the buttons on his blue frock shone, tra-la-la!

simile

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

sing

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From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

song

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From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

songbook

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

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

stepped

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From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

suspicion

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

SWITHIN

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

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading 'How the buttons on his blue frock shone, tra-la-la!

there

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

three

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

tightly

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

times

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

tra-la-la

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

From this reading 'How the buttons on his blue frock shone, tra-la-la!

tune

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

Two

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

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows:

up

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

From this reading Swithin did not exactly carol and sing like a bird, but he felt almost like endeavouring to hum a tune, as he stepped out of Hyde Park Mansions, and contemplated his horses drawn up before the door.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The afternoon was as balmy as a day in June, and to complete the simile of the old song, he had put on a blue frock-coat, dispensing with an overcoat, after sending Adolf down three times to make sure that there was not the least suspicion of east in the wind; and the frock-coat was buttoned so tightly around his personable form, that, if the buttons did not shine, they might pardonably have done so.

WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading DRIVE WITH SWITHIN Two lines of a certain song in a certain famous old school's songbook run as follows: