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Fraternity
Fraternity

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of Fraternity is here in full — 152 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.
They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning Dear Cecilia,” or Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.
She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed 76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.
One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word Engagements.”
Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Fraternity

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of Fraternity is here in full — 152 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.
Line 2
They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginningDear Cecilia,” orMrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name likeWessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.
Line 3
She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.
Line 4
One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary wordEngagements.”
Line 5
Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

attach verb US /əˈtætʃ/

cause to be attached

From this reading “They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.”

blouse noun US /blaʊs/

a top worn by women

From this reading “Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.”

commencing verb US /kəˈmensɪŋ/

-ing form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading “They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.”

Engagements noun US /enˈɡeɪdʒmənts/

plural of “engagement” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading “One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.””

inscribed adjective US /ˌɪnˈskraɪbd/

written (by handwriting, printing, engraving, or carving) on or in a surface

From this reading “One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.””

requests noun US /rɪˈkwests/

plural of “request” — a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority

From this reading “They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.”

theatres noun US /ˈθiːətərz/

plural of “theatre” — a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

From this reading “They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.”

Wessex noun US /ˈwesəks/

a Saxon kingdom in southwestern England that became the most powerful English kingdom by the 10th century

From this reading “They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.”

All words in this reading · 131

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

76

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

From this reading She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed “76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed “76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

animalnounUS /ˈænəməl/

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

appealverbUS /əˈpiːl/

take a court case to a higher court for review

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

attachverbUS /əˈtætʃ/

cause to be attached

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed “76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.

beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

bitsnounUS /bɪts/

plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

blousenounUS /blaʊs/

a top worn by women

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

booknounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed “76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.

boundadjectiveUS /baʊnd/

confined by bonds

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

brownounUS /braʊ/

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

bureaunounUS /ˈbjʊroʊ/

an administrative unit of government

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

buttonsnounUS /ˈbʌtənz/

plural of “button” — a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

casedadjective

covered or protected with or as if with a case

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

Cecilia

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

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

CECILIA'S

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

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

collectingnounUS /kəˈlektɪŋ/

the act of gathering something together

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

commencingverbUS /kəˈmensɪŋ/

-ing form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

concert-halls

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

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

containedadjectiveUS /kənˈteɪnd/

gotten under control

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

Dallison

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

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

DearadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

deceasednounUS /dɪˈsiːst/

someone who is no longer alive

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/

the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

EngagementsnounUS /enˈɡeɪdʒmənts/

plural of “engagement” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

faintadjectiveUS /feɪnt/

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

FriendnounUS /frend/

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

frownverbUS /fraʊn/

look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

galleriesnounUS /ˈɡæləriz/

plural of “gallery” — spectators at a golf or tennis match

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed “76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.

handsnounUS /hændz/

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

headedadjectiveUS /ˈhedəd/

having a heading or course in a certain direction

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

hiddenadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdən/

not accessible to view

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

inscribedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈskraɪbd/

written (by handwriting, printing, engraving, or carving) on or in a surface

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

keepverbUS /kiːp/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

Kensington

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

From this reading She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed “76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.

layverbUS /leɪ/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

likenessnounUS /ˈlaɪknəs/

similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed “76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

marbleisedadjective

patterned with veins or streaks or color resembling marble

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

namesnounUS /neɪmz/

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

notepapernoun

writing paper intended for writing short notes or letters

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

oaknounUS /oʊk/

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed “76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.

papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

pasteboardnoun

stiff cardboard made by pasting together layers of paper

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

Persian-green

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

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

piecesnounUS /ˈpiːsəz/

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

PleaseverbUS /pliːz/

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

qualitynounUS /ˈkwɑːləti/

an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

requestsnounUS /rɪˈkwests/

plural of “request” — a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

rosesnounUS /ˈroʊzɪz/

plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

safetynounUS /ˈseɪfti/

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

SCATTEREDadjectiveUS /ˈskætərd/

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed “76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.

sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/

plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed “76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

silknounUS /sɪlk/

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

silvernounUS /ˈsɪlvər/

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

skinnounUS /skɪn/

a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

sleevesnounUS /sliːvz/

plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

Smallpeace

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

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

solitaryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləteri/

characterized by or preferring solitude

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

SquareverbUS /skwer/

make square

From this reading She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed “76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.

stampedverbUS /stæmpt/

past form of “stamp” — walk heavily

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

StephennounUS /ˈstiːvən/

English writer (1832-1904)

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

suspicionnounUS /səˈspɪʃən/

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

Tallents

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

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

theatresnounUS /ˈθiːətərz/

plural of “theatre” — a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

THOUGHTSnounUS /θɔːts/

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading CECILIA'S SCATTERED THOUGHTS In her morning room Mrs. Stephen Dallison sat at an old oak bureau collecting her scattered thoughts.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

well-knownadjectiveUS /ˈwelˈnoʊn/

widely or fully known

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

WessexnounUS /ˈwesəks/

a Saxon kingdom in southwestern England that became the most powerful English kingdom by the 10th century

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading They lay about on pieces of stamped notepaper, beginning “Dear Cecilia,” or “Mrs. Tallents Smallpeace requests,” or on bits of pasteboard headed by the names of theatres, galleries, or concert-halls; or, again, on paper of not quite so good a quality, commencing, “Dear Friend,” and ending with a single well-known name like “Wessex,” so that no suspicion should attach to the appeal contained between the two.

wonderingadjectiveUS /ˈwʌndərɪŋ/

showing curiosity

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

wristsnounUS /rɪsts/

plural of “wrist” — a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones

From this reading Cecilia had on a Persian-green silk blouse with sleeves that would have hidden her slim hands, but for silver buttons made in the likeness of little roses at her wrists; on her brow was a faint frown, as though she were wondering what her thoughts were all about.

writing-paper

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

From this reading She had before her also sheets of her own writing-paper, headed “76, The Old Square, Kensington,” and two little books.

writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading One of these was bound in marbleised paper, and on it written: “Please keep this book in safety”; across the other, cased in the skin of some small animal deceased, was inscribed the solitary word “Engagements.”

Chapter 7 of Fraternity by John Galsworthy holds 152 sentences, grouped into 31 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 7 of Fraternity contain?

Chapter 7 holds 152 sentences of Fraternity, unabridged, divided into 31 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of Fraternity by John Galsworthy exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 152 sentences, grouped into 31 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 7 of Fraternity?

Work through the 31 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 31 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Fraternity

Common questions about reading Fraternity by John Galsworthy on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Fraternity?

Yes. All 6068 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2773 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Fraternity is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2773, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Fraternity take to read?

About 505 minutes of reading across 1214 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Fraternity section by section

How to work through Fraternity section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 39 chapters of Fraternity to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Fraternity

Words and structures a reader meets early in Fraternity, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Afternoon
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Fraternity; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
April
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Fraternity; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Billowy
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Fraternity; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Fraternity; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.