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Dodo's Daughter: A Sequel to Dodo
Dodo's Daughter: A Sequel to Dodo

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for Dodo's Daughter: A Sequel to Dodo
Context Illustration Reading 1/109 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.
She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.
After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.
As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.
Had she been compelled to say whether she believed he would live or not, she would have given the negative.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Dodo's Daughter: A Sequel to Dodo

Chapter XI

Reading 1/109 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.
Line 2
She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.
Line 3
After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.
Line 4
As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.
Line 5
Had she been compelled to say whether she believed he would live or not, she would have given the negative.

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 “After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Had she been compelled to say whether she believed he would live or not, she would have given the negative.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Had she been compelled to say whether she believed he would live or not, she would have given the negative.”

All words in this reading · 86

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

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

agitation

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

all

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

almost

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

anxiety

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

asleep

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

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

bed

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

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

believed

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

From this reading Had she been compelled to say whether she believed he would live or not, she would have given the negative.

big

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

compelled

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

From this reading Had she been compelled to say whether she believed he would live or not, she would have given the negative.

crying

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

died

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

From this reading As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.

disturb

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

door

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

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

enquired

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

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

entered

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.

felt

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

further

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

given

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

From this reading Had she been compelled to say whether she believed he would live or not, she would have given the negative.

going

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had she been compelled to say whether she believed he would live or not, she would have given the negative.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

heart

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

Hugh

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

From this reading As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.

Hugh's

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

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

impossible

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

live

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

From this reading Had she been compelled to say whether she believed he would live or not, she would have given the negative.

lived

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

From this reading As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.

mattered

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

From this reading As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.

mother

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

Nadine

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

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

near

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

negative

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

From this reading Had she been compelled to say whether she believed he would live or not, she would have given the negative.

night

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

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

only

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

From this reading As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.

outburst

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

poignancy

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

powerless

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

promised

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

quiet

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

said

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

From this reading As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.

say

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

From this reading Had she been compelled to say whether she believed he would live or not, she would have given the negative.

scarcely

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

From this reading As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.

seem

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

sit

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

sleep

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

smiled

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

suspense

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

undressed

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

up

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

uselessness

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

From this reading She had promised her mother not to sit up, but as she undressed she almost smiled at the uselessness of going to bed, so impossible did it seem that sleep should come near her.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nadine enquired at Hugh's door again that night before she went to bed, and found that he was still asleep.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading After her one outburst of crying, she had felt no further agitation, for something so big and so quiet had entered her heart that all poignancy of anxiety and suspense were powerless to disturb it.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading As has been said, it was scarcely even whether Hugh lived or died that mattered: the only thing that mattered was Hugh.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Had she been compelled to say whether she believed he would live or not, she would have given the negative.