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Darkness and Daylight: A Novel
Darkness and Daylight: A Novel

Chapter V

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Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ARTHUR AND EDITH.
If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.
It was preposterous, he thought, for Grace to call one as young as Edith a waiting maid, but it was like her, he knew.
It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.
This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Darkness and Daylight: A Novel

Chapter V

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ARTHUR AND EDITH.
Line 2
If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.
Line 3
It was preposterous, he thought, for Grace to call one as young as Edith a waiting maid, but it was like her, he knew.
Line 4
It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.
Line 5
This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

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 “If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “It was preposterous, he thought, for Grace to call one as young as Edith a waiting maid, but it was like her, he knew.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.”

Readily noun US /readily/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was preposterous, he thought, for Grace to call one as young as Edith a waiting maid, but it was like her, he knew.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

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

From this reading “If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.”

All words in this reading · 94

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 If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading ARTHUR AND EDITH.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

ARTHUR

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

From this reading ARTHUR AND EDITH.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

asking

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

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

Asylum

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

back

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was preposterous, he thought, for Grace to call one as young as Edith a waiting maid, but it was like her, he knew.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

call

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

From this reading It was preposterous, he thought, for Grace to call one as young as Edith a waiting maid, but it was like her, he knew.

cared

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

cars

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

charging

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

child

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

Claire

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

concerning

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

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

crime

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

disgraced

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

divert

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

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

EDITH

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

From this reading ARTHUR AND EDITH.

entering

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

excuse

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

fact

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

family

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

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

fate

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

Grace

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

From this reading It was preposterous, he thought, for Grace to call one as young as Edith a waiting maid, but it was like her, he knew.

greatness

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

grief

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

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

impress

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

injustice

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

innocent

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

instead

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

kind

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

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

knew

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

From this reading It was preposterous, he thought, for Grace to call one as young as Edith a waiting maid, but it was like her, he knew.

lady

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

like

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

From this reading It was preposterous, he thought, for Grace to call one as young as Edith a waiting maid, but it was like her, he knew.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

lofty

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

made

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

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

maid

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

many

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

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

more

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

much

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was preposterous, he thought, for Grace to call one as young as Edith a waiting maid, but it was like her, he knew.

own

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

people

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

perhaps

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

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

preposterous

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

From this reading It was preposterous, he thought, for Grace to call one as young as Edith a waiting maid, but it was like her, he knew.

questions

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

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

rank

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

readilynounUS /readily/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

reconciled

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

seeking

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

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

sense

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

some

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

sound

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

St

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

taking

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

tenderly

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This it was, perhaps, which made him so kind to her, seeking to divert her mind from her grief by asking her many questions concerning herself and her family.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was preposterous, he thought, for Grace to call one as young as Edith a waiting maid, but it was like her, he knew.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

travelling

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

waiting

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading It had a lofty sound, and would impress some people with a sense of her greatness; so he could excuse it much more readily than the injustice done to the child by charging her with a crime of which he knew she was innocent.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading If anything could have reconciled Edith to her fate, it would have been the fact that she was travelling with Arthur St. Claire, who, after entering the cars, cared for her as tenderly as if she had been a lady of his own rank, instead of a little disgraced waiting maid, whom he was taking back, to the Asylum.

young

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

From this reading It was preposterous, he thought, for Grace to call one as young as Edith a waiting maid, but it was like her, he knew.