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The House in the Mist
The House in the Mist

Chapter VII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?
I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.
The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.
Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.
After which I gave myself up entirely to the business of the party.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The House in the Mist

Chapter VII

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?
Line 2
I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.
Line 3
The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.
Line 4
Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.
Line 5
After which I gave myself up entirely to the business of the party.

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 “After which I gave myself up entirely to the business of the party.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.”

Entirely noun US /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading “After which I gave myself up entirely to the business of the party.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “After which I gave myself up entirely to the business of the party.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

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

From this reading “I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.”

WHILE conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.”

All words in this reading · 113

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 WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

accordance

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

From this reading The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After which I gave myself up entirely to the business of the party.

alert

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

all

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

battle

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

bitter

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

business

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

From this reading After which I gave myself up entirely to the business of the party.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

cause

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

charm

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

cost

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

crowd

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

DANCED

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

daughter

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.

directions

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

From this reading Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.

down

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading After which I gave myself up entirely to the business of the party.

escape

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

evening

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

exerted

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

eye

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

facsimile

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

From this reading The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.

gave

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

From this reading Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.

giving

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

grand

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

hardened

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

house

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

how

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

important

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

From this reading Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.

impression

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

From this reading The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

key

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

From this reading The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.

knew

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

letter

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

From this reading Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.

lines

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

meet

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

mental

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

minutest

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

From this reading Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.

mouth

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

movements

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

From this reading Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.

Mrs

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading After which I gave myself up entirely to the business of the party.

necessary

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

nerve

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.

objections

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.

OTHERS

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

own

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

From this reading Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

plead

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

prepared

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

procure

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

From this reading The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.

promise

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

From this reading The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.

proposition

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

quiet

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

Ransome

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

sat

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

shocking

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

side

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

softening

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

sometimes

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

sparkle

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

spoke

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

Street

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

stress

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

taken

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

From this reading The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

Then

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

From this reading Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

up

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

From this reading After which I gave myself up entirely to the business of the party.

utmost

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

wax

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

From this reading The next thing I did was to procure a facsimile of his key from the wax impression I had taken of it in accordance with my promise to Mrs. Ransome.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.

WHILEconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading WHILE OTHERS DANCED A crowd in the ---- Street house was necessary to the quiet escape of Mrs. Ransome and her daughter; so a crowd we must have, and how have a crowd without giving a grand party?

won

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

worry

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading I knew that this would be a shocking proposition to him; but I was prepared to meet all objections; and when, with every nerve alert and every charm exerted to its utmost, I sat down at his side that evening to plead my cause, I knew by the sparkle of his eye and the softening of the bitter lines that sometimes hardened his mouth, that the battle was half won before I spoke, and that I should have my party whatever it might cost him in mental stress and worry.

wrote

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

From this reading Then I wrote her a letter, in which I gave her the minutest directions as to her own movements on that important evening.