Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
able
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From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
all
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From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
balancenounUS /ˈbalance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
bear
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From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
bed
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From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
better
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From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
bird
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From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
century
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From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
chance
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From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
companion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
converse
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From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
decidedly
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From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
the way something is arranged or positioned
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
Dr
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From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
dread
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From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
evening
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From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
flattery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
friendly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
imagined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
inclined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
interesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
keep
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From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
late
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From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
leaving
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From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
Leete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
looking
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From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
mental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
nineteenth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
please
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
retiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
sounded
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From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
stimulated
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From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
strangers
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From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
supported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
Surrounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
suspicion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
sympathetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Surrounded by these most friendly strangers, stimulated and supported by their sympathetic interest, I had been able to keep my mental balance.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now I had been looking forward all the evening with some dread to the time when I should be alone, on retiring for the night.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
wakefulness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It is decidedly not often that one has a chance to converse with a man of the nineteenth century."
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When, in the course of the evening the ladies retired, leaving Dr. Leete and myself alone, he sounded me as to my disposition for sleep, saying that if I felt like it my bed was ready for me; but if I was inclined to wakefulness nothing would please him better than to bear me company.
yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading "I am a late bird, myself," he said, "and, without suspicion of flattery, I may say that a companion more interesting than yourself could scarcely be imagined.
