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1
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From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
addition
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From this reading Yes, Mary’s birthday marked the beginning of the end, and, in addition to that, there was the desperate, urgent question of present-giving.
air
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From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
always
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From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
aside
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
autumn
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
bathe
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From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
beginning
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From this reading Yes, Mary’s birthday marked the beginning of the end, and, in addition to that, there was the desperate, urgent question of present-giving.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
birthday
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From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
burning
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
change
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
chillier
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
close
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From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
colder
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
colour
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
cry
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From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
desperate
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From this reading Yes, Mary’s birthday marked the beginning of the end, and, in addition to that, there was the desperate, urgent question of present-giving.
door
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
drawing
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From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
end
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From this reading Yes, Mary’s birthday marked the beginning of the end, and, in addition to that, there was the desperate, urgent question of present-giving.
evening
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
fashion
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
few
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
fields
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
fires
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
flying
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From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
giving
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
green
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
gulls
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From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mary took her present-giving (or rather present-getting) with the utmost seriousness.
holidays
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From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
last
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From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
leaves
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
little
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
marked
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From this reading Yes, Mary’s birthday marked the beginning of the end, and, in addition to that, there was the desperate, urgent question of present-giving.
Mary
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From this reading Mary took her present-giving (or rather present-getting) with the utmost seriousness.
Mary's
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From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
meant
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From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
melancholy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
moor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
opens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mary took her present-giving (or rather present-getting) with the utmost seriousness.
picnic
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From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
PICTURE-BOOK
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From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
place
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From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
plunge
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From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
poignant
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From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
Polchester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
present-getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary took her present-giving (or rather present-getting) with the utmost seriousness.
present-giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, Mary’s birthday marked the beginning of the end, and, in addition to that, there was the desperate, urgent question of present-giving.
question
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From this reading Yes, Mary’s birthday marked the beginning of the end, and, in addition to that, there was the desperate, urgent question of present-giving.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary took her present-giving (or rather present-getting) with the utmost seriousness.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
September
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
seriousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary took her present-giving (or rather present-getting) with the utmost seriousness.
sharp
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From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
slipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
Soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
stepped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
sudden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
swerving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
there
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From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
Thompson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
took
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary took her present-giving (or rather present-getting) with the utmost seriousness.
towardsnounUS /ˈtowards/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
unclicking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
urgent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, Mary’s birthday marked the beginning of the end, and, in addition to that, there was the desperate, urgent question of present-giving.
utmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary took her present-giving (or rather present-getting) with the utmost seriousness.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE PICTURE-BOOK I September 1 was Mary’s birthday, and it had always something of a melancholy air about it because it meant that the holidays were drawing to a close.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Soon there would be the last bathe, the last picnic, the last plunge across the moor, the last waking to the sharp, poignant cry of the flying, swerving gulls.
Yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, Mary’s birthday marked the beginning of the end, and, in addition to that, there was the desperate, urgent question of present-giving.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Then in strange, sudden fashion, like the unclicking of a door that opens into another room, the summer had suddenly slipped aside, giving place to autumn; not full autumn yet, only a few leaves turning, a few fires burning in the fields, the sea only a little colder in colour, the sky at evening a chillier green; but the change was there, and with it Polchester, and close behind Polchester old Thompson stepped towards them.
