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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
able
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From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
absent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
Althea's
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From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
always
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From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
arrival
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From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
ask
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From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
attempt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
aware
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From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
bothered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
cigarette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
confronted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
dispel
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From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
elucidated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
expectingverbUS /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/
thinking that somebody or something will arrive
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
expressive
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From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
eyebrows
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From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
facts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
flowers
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From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
Gerald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
Helen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
Helen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
helping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
intercourse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
irritation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
kicked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'
knitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
lapse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
lifting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
log
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
mist-enveloped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
observe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
oppressive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
Paris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
perplexity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'
preoccupations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
probed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
questioning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
recognise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
recurrent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
slight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'
smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to-day she said nothing, and it was her silence instead of her questioning that made Gerald aware that he was standing there expecting to have his state of mind probed and then elucidated.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It added a little to his sense of perplexity that Helen should be silent, and it was with a slight irritation that he turned and kicked a log before saying--'I'm rather bothered, Helen.'
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
vaguely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was four days after Althea's arrival in London that Gerald stood in Helen's sitting-room and confronted her--smoking her cigarette in her low chair--as he had confronted her that summer on her return from Paris.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
worried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would have been natural in their free intercourse that, after a certain lapse of time, Helen should ask him what the matter was, helping him often, with the mere question, to recognise that something was the matter.
writing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald looked rather absent and he looked rather worried, and Helen, who had observed these facts the moment he came in, was able to observe them for some time while he stood there before her, not looking at her, looking at nothing in particular, his eyes turning vaguely from the mist-enveloped trees outside to the flowers on the writing-table, and his eyebrows, always very expressive, knitting themselves a little or lifting as if in the attempt to dispel recurrent and oppressive preoccupations.
