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Half A Chance
Half A Chance

Chapter X

Cover illustration for Half A Chance
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.
His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.
Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.
But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.
A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Half A Chance

Chapter X

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.
Line 2
His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.
Line 3
Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.
Line 4
But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.
Line 5
A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

Learner Dictionary

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

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.”

All words in this reading · 114

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

accustomed

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

altogether

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

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

apart

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

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

appointed

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

arrived

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

ask

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

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

attention

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

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

authorize

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

business

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

called

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

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

channel

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

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

Charles

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

city

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

clients

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

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

continent

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

country

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

days

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

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

due

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

duties

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

few

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

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

frivolities

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

further

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

girl

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

heard

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

heavy

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

hour

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

House

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

important

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

inability

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

INCIDENTS

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

interim

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

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

invitations

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

Jocelyn

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

John

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

letter

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

light

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

matters

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

message

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

Miss

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

months

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

nature

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

number

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

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

obtruded

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

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

office

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

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

often

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

other

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

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

perfunctory

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

ponderous

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

preferred

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

present

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

process

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

prospective

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

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

regretting

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

routine

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

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

saw

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

script

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

Several

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

side

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

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

Sir

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From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

sojourn

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From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

Steele

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From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

Strathorn

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From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

suffice

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From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

sufficiently

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From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

supposedly

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

From this reading A number of supposedly prospective clients had called to ask for him at his office during his sojourn on the other side of the channel.

suspicion

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From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

tempt

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From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

uneventfully

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From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

vagueness

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From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

warranting

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From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

ways

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From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

weeks

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From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.

WhetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

wife

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.

work

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

From this reading But the days of this long interim had not passed altogether uneventfully; a few incidents, apart from the routine of his work, obtruded themselves upon his attention.

Wray

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

From this reading INCIDENTS Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray.

young

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

From this reading Whether the young girl found in the letter a vagueness warranting a suspicion that John Steele preferred the heavy duties of the city to the light frivolities of the country matters not; suffice it the weeks passed and no further invitations, in the ponderous script of the wife of Sir Charles, arrived to tempt him from his accustomed ways.