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Evelyn Innes
Evelyn Innes

Chapter XXIII

Cover illustration for Evelyn Innes
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.
"It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."
It was the prioress who broke off the conversation, to Evelyn's regret.
"Mother Hilda, I am afraid we are forgetting your young charges."
"Yes, indeed, I must run back to my children.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Evelyn Innes

Chapter XXIII

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

Line 1
Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.
Line 2
"It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."
Line 3
It was the prioress who broke off the conversation, to Evelyn's regret.
Line 4
"Mother Hilda, I am afraid we are forgetting your young charges."
Line 5
"Yes, indeed, I must run back to my children.

Learner Dictionary

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

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “"It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “"It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “"It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.”

Yours pronoun US /jʊrz/

the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to

From this reading “"It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."”

All words in this reading · 85

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 Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

afraid

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

From this reading "Mother Hilda, I am afraid we are forgetting your young charges."

allowed

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "Mother Hilda, I am afraid we are forgetting your young charges."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

any

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "Mother Hilda, I am afraid we are forgetting your young charges."

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

back

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

From this reading "Yes, indeed, I must run back to my children.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

beautiful

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

bring

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

broke

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

From this reading It was the prioress who broke off the conversation, to Evelyn's regret.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

Catholics

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

charges

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

From this reading "Mother Hilda, I am afraid we are forgetting your young charges."

children

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

From this reading "Yes, indeed, I must run back to my children.

choirs

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

church

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

churches

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

conversation

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

From this reading It was the prioress who broke off the conversation, to Evelyn's regret.

delightful

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

difference

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

England

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

Evelyn

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

Evelyn's

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

From this reading It was the prioress who broke off the conversation, to Evelyn's regret.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

forgetting

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

From this reading "Mother Hilda, I am afraid we are forgetting your young charges."

France

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

frequently

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

gift

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

God's

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

hard

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

Hilda

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

From this reading "Mother Hilda, I am afraid we are forgetting your young charges."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Mother Hilda, I am afraid we are forgetting your young charges."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

indeed

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

From this reading "Yes, indeed, I must run back to my children.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

like

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

mentioned

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

Mother

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

From this reading "Mother Hilda, I am afraid we are forgetting your young charges."

music

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Yes, indeed, I must run back to my children.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

off

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

From this reading It was the prioress who broke off the conversation, to Evelyn's regret.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

opera

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

Paris

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

prioress

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

From this reading It was the prioress who broke off the conversation, to Evelyn's regret.

referring

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

regret

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

From this reading It was the prioress who broke off the conversation, to Evelyn's regret.

rule

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

run

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

From this reading "Yes, indeed, I must run back to my children.

sacred

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

sang

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

saying

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

service

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

sing

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

singers

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

sung

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

there

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

voices

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

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Mother Hilda, I am afraid we are forgetting your young charges."

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Evelyn was saying that it was a long while since she had sung any sacred music, and, referring to the difference of the rule in France and in England, she mentioned that in Paris the opera singers frequently sang in the churches.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading It was the prioress who broke off the conversation, to Evelyn's regret.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."

Yes

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

From this reading "Yes, indeed, I must run back to my children.

young

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

From this reading "Mother Hilda, I am afraid we are forgetting your young charges."

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Mother Hilda, I am afraid we are forgetting your young charges."

yourspronounUS /jʊrz/

the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to

From this reading "It must be hard on Catholics with beautiful voices like yours that they may not be allowed to sing in church choirs, for there can be nothing so delightful as to bring a great gift to God's service."