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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
acquainted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
adoring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I 'm thinking this will settle matters,' she said to her adoring companions.
alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
assisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
cat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
chosen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
coals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
companions
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From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
cousins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
cubby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
daughters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
degree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
fast-expiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
FIRE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRE THAT WILL NOT LIGHT.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
hardest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
Hollyhock's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'I 'm thinking this will settle matters,' she said to her adoring companions.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
job
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
jug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
Killin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
Leucha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
LIGHT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRE THAT WILL NOT LIGHT.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
ll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
m
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I 'm thinking this will settle matters,' she said to her adoring companions.
Marquis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I 'm thinking this will settle matters,' she said to her adoring companions.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
Naughty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
NOTadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE FIRE THAT WILL NOT LIGHT.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
Parlour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
pour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
powersnounUS /powers/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
relight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I 'm thinking this will settle matters,' she said to her adoring companions.
settle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I 'm thinking this will settle matters,' she said to her adoring companions.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
simple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
somewhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
Summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
system
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
THATconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE FIRE THAT WILL NOT LIGHT.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRE THAT WILL NOT LIGHT.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'I 'm thinking this will settle matters,' she said to her adoring companions.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading 'I 'm thinking this will settle matters,' she said to her adoring companions.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
Villiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Naughty Hollyhock's last effort before she left the Parlour had been to pour a small jug of water over the fast-expiring coals.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading 'Let them try their hardest now if they like, but we 'll find our own cubby hole and light our fire somewhere else.'
WILLmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading THE FIRE THAT WILL NOT LIGHT.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Lady Leucha Villiers and her cousins, the daughters of the Marquis of Killin, assisted by their chosen companions, tried in vain to relight the fire in the Summer Parlour; but, alas! although even the kitchen cat might have understood so simple a job, being at least acquainted with _something_ of the system, it was quite outside the powers of these ladies of high degree.
