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Milly and Olly
Milly and Olly

Chapter VII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/60 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.
But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!
How very puzzling and interesting!
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Milly and Olly

Chapter VII

Reading 1/60 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.
Line 2
In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.
Line 3
If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.
Line 4
But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!
Line 5
How very puzzling and interesting!

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!”

Precious adjective US /ˈpreʃəs/

rare and worth a great deal

From this reading “But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.”

All words in this reading · 87

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 A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

arm-chairs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

Aunt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

bag

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

bedroom

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

black

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!

cap

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

children

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

coming

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

contained

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

drawing-room

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

Emma

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

felt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

folded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

GAME

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

gray

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

hadn't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!

hour

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

How

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading How very puzzling and interesting!

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

interesting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

lap

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

made

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

matter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

mother's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.

much

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

nearly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

new

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!

place

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/

rare and worth a great deal

From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!

puzzling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading How very puzzling and interesting!

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

rain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

safely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

second

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

settled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.

sky

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

STORY-TELLING

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

tight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But here it was in her lap, with her two hands folded tight over it, as if it contained something precious!

very

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading How very puzzling and interesting!

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading A STORY-TELLING GAME When Aunt Emma was safely settled, cap and all, in one of the drawing-room arm-chairs, it seemed to the children as if the rain and the gray sky did not matter nearly so much as they had done half an hour before.

why

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the first place, her coming made something new and interesting to think about; and in the second place, they felt quite sure that Aunt Emma hadn't brought her little black bag into the drawing-room with her for nothing.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading If only her cap had been in it, why of course she would have left it in mother's bedroom.