adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She rang the bell and soon her old friend appeared in the doorway.
approachedverbUS /əˈproʊtʃt/
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I wonder who that can be?" thought Mary Louise.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
bellnounUS /bel/
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading She rang the bell and soon her old friend appeared in the doorway.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I wonder who that can be?" thought Mary Louise.
Conant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
Conants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
doorwaynounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪ/
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading She rang the bell and soon her old friend appeared in the doorway.
drummedverbUS /drʌmd/
inflected form of “drum” — make a rhythmic sound
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
entertainingadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnɪŋ/
agreeably diverting
From this reading Everyone had to speak loudly to poor Mrs. Conant, who might be entertaining a visitor.
EveryonepronounUS /ˈevriwʌn/
every person
From this reading Everyone had to speak loudly to poor Mrs. Conant, who might be entertaining a visitor.
exclusivelyadverbUS /ɪkˈskluːsɪvli/
without any others being included or involved
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
friendnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading She rang the bell and soon her old friend appeared in the doorway.
gardennounUS /ˈɡɑːrdən/
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/
a young female
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Everyone had to speak loudly to poor Mrs. Conant, who might be entertaining a visitor.
hearverbUS /hiːr/
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She rang the bell and soon her old friend appeared in the doorway.
homenounUS /hoʊm/
where you live at a particular time
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I wonder who that can be?" thought Mary Louise.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
inflectionnounUS /ˌɪnˈflekʃən/
a change in the form of a word (usually by adding a suffix) to indicate a change in its grammatical function
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
IRENE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
joyousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪəs/
full of or characterized by joy
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
laughnounUS /læf/
the sound of laughing
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
loudlyadverbUS /ˈlaʊdli/
with relatively high volume
From this reading Everyone had to speak loudly to poor Mrs. Conant, who might be entertaining a visitor.
LOUISE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
MARYnounUS /ˈmeri/
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
MEETSnounUS /miːts/
plural of “meet” — a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
melodynounUS /ˈmelədi/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
merryadjectiveUS /ˈmeri/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Everyone had to speak loudly to poor Mrs. Conant, who might be entertaining a visitor.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She rang the bell and soon her old friend appeared in the doorway.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
ornamentverbUS /ˈɔːrnəmənt/
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
playverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Everyone had to speak loudly to poor Mrs. Conant, who might be entertaining a visitor.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
ragtimenounUS /ˈræɡtaɪm/
music with a syncopated melody (usually for the piano)
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
rangverbUS /ræŋ/
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
rapidlyadverbUS /ˈræpədli/
with speed
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
rememberedverbUS /rɪˈmembərd/
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
shrubsnounUS /ʃrʌbz/
plural of “shrub” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
soonadverbUS /suːn/
in the near future
From this reading She rang the bell and soon her old friend appeared in the doorway.
speakverbUS /spiːk/
express in speech
From this reading Everyone had to speak loudly to poor Mrs. Conant, who might be entertaining a visitor.
stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
surprisedadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzd/
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
sweetadjectiveUS /swiːt/
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I wonder who that can be?" thought Mary Louise.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
ThenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "I wonder who that can be?" thought Mary Louise.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
treesnounUS /triːz/
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
tunenounUS /tuːn/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
unableadjectiveUS /əˈneɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
visitornounUS /ˈvɪzɪtər/
someone who visits
From this reading Everyone had to speak loudly to poor Mrs. Conant, who might be entertaining a visitor.
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "I wonder who that can be?" thought Mary Louise.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Then, as the girl reached the porch, the melody suddenly stopped, a merry laugh rang out and a fresh, sweet voice was heard through the open window talking rapidly and with eager inflection.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading MARY LOUISE MEETS IRENE As Mary Louise approached the home of the Conants, which was a pretty little house set far back in a garden filled with trees and shrubs, she was surprised to hear a joyous ragtime tune being drummed upon the piano--an instrument she remembered Mrs. Conant kept in the house exclusively as an ornament, being unable to play it.
wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading "I wonder who that can be?" thought Mary Louise.
