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Mother
Mother

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Mother
Context Illustration Reading 1/55 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.
It has been slightly remodelled for separate publication.
When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.
She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.
“Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Mother

Chapter I

Reading 1/55 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.
Line 2
It has been slightly remodelled for separate publication.
Line 3
When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.
Line 4
She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.
Line 5
“Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

Learner Dictionary

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

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading ““Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?””

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It has been slightly remodelled for separate publication.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?””

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.”

Handsome noun US /ˈhandsome/

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

From this reading “When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “It has been slightly remodelled for separate publication.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?””

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?””

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ““Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?””

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?””

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?””

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading ““Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?””

All words in this reading · 109

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1901

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

announced

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

anonymously

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

any

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

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

appeared

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

arm

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

assembled

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

authors

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

back

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It has been slightly remodelled for separate publication.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

chair

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

changed

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

chapter

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

closed

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

company

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

confessed

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

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

entitled

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

erect

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

extremely

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

fancy

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

Field

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It has been slightly remodelled for separate publication.

friends

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

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

girl

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

hand

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It has been slightly remodelled for separate publication.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

hero

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

heroine

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

House

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

innocent

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

invention

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It has been slightly remodelled for separate publication.

leaning

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

lovely

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

ninth

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

once

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

own

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

page

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

PartynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

position

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

publication

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

From this reading It has been slightly remodelled for separate publication.

really

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

reclining

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

remodelled

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

From this reading It has been slightly remodelled for separate publication.

Richard

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

said

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

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

sat

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

separate

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

From this reading It has been slightly remodelled for separate publication.

sequence

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

slightly

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

From this reading It has been slightly remodelled for separate publication.

stories

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

story

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

truth

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

turn

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

uncomfortable

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

various

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

very

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

volume

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

From this reading IN 1901, this story appeared anonymously as the ninth of a sequence of short stories by various authors, in a volume entitled A House Party.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

wife

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She changed the reclining position in which she had been leaning back in her chair, and she sat erect, with a hand closed upon each arm of the chair.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Richard,” she said, “do you think that it is right of you to tell any one, even friends, anything that you have never yet confessed to me?”

young

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

From this reading When handsome young Richard Field--he was very handsome and very young--announced to our assembled company that if his turn should really come to tell us a story, the story should be no invention of his fancy, but a page of truth, a chapter from his own life, in which himself was the hero and a lovely, innocent girl was the heroine, his wife at once looked extremely uncomfortable.