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Opening a Chestnut Burr
Opening a Chestnut Burr

Chapter XXXIV

Cover illustration for Opening a Chestnut Burr
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.
"Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."
At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.
But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."
Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Opening a Chestnut Burr

Chapter XXXIV

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.
Line 2
"Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."
Line 3
At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.
Line 4
But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."
Line 5
Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.”

Double noun US /double/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.”

Snatches plural noun US /snætʃɪz/

short, incomplete pieces of speech or writing

From this reading “But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."”

Thinking noun US /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."”

All words in this reading · 105

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 CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

all

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

Annie

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

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

appeared

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

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

back

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

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

became

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

best

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

Burnett

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

BURR

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

calmer

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

CHESTNUT

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

child

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

From this reading Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

children

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

From this reading Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

clerk

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

From this reading "Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."

coming

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

From this reading "Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."

consternation

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

death

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

despatch

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

double

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

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

earthly

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

From this reading Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

endure

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

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

enough

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

father

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

From this reading Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

God

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

Gregory

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

grief

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

guess

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

From this reading Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

HOME

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

hope

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

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

illness

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

informing

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

instantly

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

From this reading "Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

lost

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

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

meaning

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

From this reading Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

meet

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

Mr

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

now

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

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

often

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

old

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

other

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

out

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

From this reading "Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

Paris

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

partner

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

place

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

From this reading "Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."

reached

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

read

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

From this reading "Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."

Return

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

From this reading "Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."

scarcely

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

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

sees

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

senior

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

From this reading "Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."

Seymour

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

snatchesplural nounUS /snætʃɪz/

short, incomplete pieces of speech or writing

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

strong

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

sustain

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."

temptation

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

thinkingnounUS /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

Thus

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

From this reading Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

trusted

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

From this reading Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Thus little children guess at the meaning of an earthly father, but Gregory did what a child should--he trusted.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading A CHESTNUT BURR AND A HOME When Gregory reached Paris, to his grief and consternation he found a despatch informing him of the sudden death of old Mr. Burnett, and the illness of Mr. Seymour, the other partner.

wife

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

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading At first it appeared a double grief that he could scarcely endure, for it seemed that if he went back now Annie would be lost to him beyond hope.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading But after thinking it all over he became calmer, "It may be best after all, for as my wife she is lost to me beyond hope, and God sees that I am not strong enough to meet her often yet and sustain myself, and so snatches me from the temptation."

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Return instantly," it read; "the senior clerk is coming out to take your place."