2
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
achedverbUS /eɪkt/
past form of “ache” — feel physical pain
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
activeadjectiveUS /ˈæktɪv/
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
addedverbUS /ˈædəd/
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/
eagerly desirous
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
attemptnounUS /əˈtempt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
bednounUS /bed/
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The doctor spoke cheerfully, but looked sober, and Mrs. Pecq began to fear that Janey was to be a cripple for life.
breathnounUS /breθ/
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
busyadjectiveUS /ˈbɪzi/
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
cheerfullyadverbUS /ˈtʃɪrfəli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading The doctor spoke cheerfully, but looked sober, and Mrs. Pecq began to fear that Janey was to be a cripple for life.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
crippleverbUS /ˈkrɪpəl/
deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
From this reading The doctor spoke cheerfully, but looked sober, and Mrs. Pecq began to fear that Janey was to be a cripple for life.
depressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈprest/
lower than previously
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
doctornounUS /ˈdɑːktər/
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading The doctor spoke cheerfully, but looked sober, and Mrs. Pecq began to fear that Janey was to be a cripple for life.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
fallverbUS /fɔːl/
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
fancynounUS /ˈfænsi/
something many people believe that is false
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
fearverbUS /fɪr/
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The doctor spoke cheerfully, but looked sober, and Mrs. Pecq began to fear that Janey was to be a cripple for life.
flatadjectiveUS /flæt/
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
flyingadjectiveUS /ˈflaɪɪŋ/
moving swiftly
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
FortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
gayadjectiveUS /ɡeɪ/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
gladadjectiveUS /ɡlæd/
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
guessedverbUS /ɡest/
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
halfadjectiveUS /hæf/
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
impossibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
inventverbUS /ˌɪnˈvent/
come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
Janey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The doctor spoke cheerfully, but looked sober, and Mrs. Pecq began to fear that Janey was to be a cripple for life.
Jill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
Jill's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
keepingnounUS /ˈkiːpɪŋ/
conformity or harmony
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
lieverbUS /laɪ/
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The doctor spoke cheerfully, but looked sober, and Mrs. Pecq began to fear that Janey was to be a cripple for life.
limbnounUS /lɪm/
one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
livelyadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪvli/
full of life and energy
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The doctor spoke cheerfully, but looked sober, and Mrs. Pecq began to fear that Janey was to be a cripple for life.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
mischiefnounUS /ˈmɪstʃəf/
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
painnounUS /peɪn/
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
Pecq
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
playsnounUS /pleɪz/
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
quickadjectiveUS /kwɪk/
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
sitverbUS /sɪt/
be seated
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading The doctor spoke cheerfully, but looked sober, and Mrs. Pecq began to fear that Janey was to be a cripple for life.
spiritsnounUS /ˈspɪrɪts/
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
spokenounUS /spoʊk/
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading The doctor spoke cheerfully, but looked sober, and Mrs. Pecq began to fear that Janey was to be a cripple for life.
standverbUS /stænd/
be standing; be upright
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
ThingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading That, however, was impossible, for the least attempt to sit or stand brought on the pain that took her breath away and made her glad to lie flat again.
troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/
a source of difficulty
From this reading She said nothing, but Jill's quick eyes saw an added trouble in the always anxious face, and it depressed her spirits, though she never guessed half the mischief the fall had done.
unbearableadjectiveUS /ənˈberəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
visitsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
WardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Fortunately, she had a lively fancy, and so got on pretty well, till keeping still grew unbearable, and the active child ached in every limb to be up and out.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Things were not so gay in Ward No. 2, for Mrs. Pecq was very busy, and Jill had nothing to amuse her but flying visits from the girls, and such little plays as she could invent for herself in bed.
