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The Children's Pilgrimage
The Children's Pilgrimage

Chapter XVIII

Cover illustration for The Children's Pilgrimage
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"A LETTER."
Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.
He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.
But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.
Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Children's Pilgrimage

Chapter XVIII

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"A LETTER."
Line 2
Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.
Line 3
He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.
Line 4
But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.
Line 5
Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.

Learner Dictionary

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

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.”

Meanwhile noun US /ˈmeanwhile/

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

From this reading “Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 LETTER."

also

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

From this reading Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

answer

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

any

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

appeal

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

Cecile

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

From this reading Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.

children

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

cousin

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

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

Danvers

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

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

day

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

From this reading Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.

describing

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

destitute

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

French

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

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

got

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

happened

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

heart

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

ill

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

LETTER

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

From this reading "A LETTER."

man

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

Maurice

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

From this reading Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.

MeanwhilenounUS /ˈmeanwhile/

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

From this reading Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

move

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

moved

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

night

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

From this reading Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

pathetic

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

post

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

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

powerful

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

reason

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

relation

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

reply

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

school

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

From this reading Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

sometimes

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

From this reading Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.

subject

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

terms

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

unable

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

uncongenial

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

weary

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

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

well

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

From this reading He wrote a pathetic and powerful appeal to this man, describing the destitute children in terms that might well move his heart.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Meanwhile Cecile and Maurice went to school by day, and sometimes also by night.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading But whether it so happened that the French relation had no heart to be moved, whether he was weary of an uncongenial subject, or was ill, and so unable to reply--whatever the reason, good Mr. Danvers never got any answer to his letter.

word

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

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.

wrote

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

From this reading Mr. Danvers was as good as his word and wrote by the next post to the French cousin.