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Mrs. Balfame: A Novel
Mrs. Balfame: A Novel

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel is here in full — 115 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 5 of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel by Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton holds 115 sentences, grouped into 23 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 5 of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel contain?

Chapter 5 holds 115 sentences of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel, unabridged, divided into 23 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel by Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 115 sentences, grouped into 23 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 5 of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel?

Work through the 23 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 23 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Mrs. Balfame: A Novel

Common questions about reading Mrs. Balfame: A Novel by Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel?

Yes. All 5065 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #39443 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #39443, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Mrs. Balfame: A Novel take to read?

About 422 minutes of reading across 1013 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Mrs. Balfame: A Novel section by section

How to work through Mrs. Balfame: A Novel section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 38 chapters of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Mrs. Balfame: A Novel

Words and structures a reader meets early in Mrs. Balfame: A Novel, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Balfame
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Commit
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Murder
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Stared
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Mrs. Balfame: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.
The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.
It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.
Then she recognised her husband's voice.
For a moment she lost her breath and her blood ran chill.
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.

Mrs. Balfame: A Novel

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of Mrs. Balfame: A Novel is here in full — 115 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.
Line 2
The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.
Line 3
It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.
Line 4
Then she recognised her husband's voice.
Line 5
For a moment she lost her breath and her blood ran chill.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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 “It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.”

Blood noun US /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading “For a moment she lost her breath and her blood ran chill.”

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.”

Thought noun US /ˈthought/

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

From this reading “It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.”

All words in this reading · 96

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 It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

all

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

appeared

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

aware

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

Balfame

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

Balfame's

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

became

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

bloodnounUS /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading For a moment she lost her breath and her blood ran chill.

brain

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

breath

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

cards

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

chill

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

From this reading For a moment she lost her breath and her blood ran chill.

cocked

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

concentrated

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

conscious

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

contrary

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

current

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

dancing

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

deflected

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

disturbance

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

door

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

dug

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

ears

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

Egypt

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

escaping

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

faces

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

features

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

fiddles

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

flow

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a moment she lost her breath and her blood ran chill.

hard

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

hissing

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

holding

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

hour

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

husband's

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

From this reading Then she recognised her husband's voice.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

interruptions

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

jets

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

like

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

losing

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

lost

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

From this reading For a moment she lost her breath and her blood ran chill.

man's

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

moment

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

From this reading For a moment she lost her breath and her blood ran chill.

Mrs

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

narrow

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

o'clock

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

out

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

outer

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

partners

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

people

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

piano

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

players

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

playing

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

powerful

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

precedent

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

ran

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

From this reading For a moment she lost her breath and her blood ran chill.

recognised

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

From this reading Then she recognised her husband's voice.

rest

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

ribald

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

room

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

six

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

some

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

steadily

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

stone

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

suddenly

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

supper

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

suspended

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

Then

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

From this reading Then she recognised her husband's voice.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

thoughtnounUS /ˈthought/

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

time

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

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading It was some time before the narrow flow of thought in Mrs. Balfame's brain was deflected by the powerful outer current, but suddenly she became aware that her partners were holding their cards suspended, and that their ears were cocked toward the door.

usual

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

vaguely

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

voice

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was about six o'clock when Mrs. Balfame, steadily losing, contrary to all precedent, her mind concentrated, her features, like those of the rest of the players, as hard as the stone faces dug out of Egypt, her breath escaping in hissing jets, became vaguely conscious of a disturbance in the outer room.

young

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

From this reading The young people were dancing, as was usual in the hour before supper, but the piano and fiddles appeared to be playing against the ribald interruptions of a man's voice.