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The Last Chronicle of Barset
The Last Chronicle of Barset

Chapter XXII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/115 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
LILY DALE GOES TO LONDON.
One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.
He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.
It was always a sign of good-humour on the squire's part, this rapping at the window.
When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Last Chronicle of Barset

Chapter XXII

Reading 1/115 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
LILY DALE GOES TO LONDON.
Line 2
One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.
Line 3
He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.
Line 4
It was always a sign of good-humour on the squire's part, this rapping at the window.
Line 5
When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.”

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was always a sign of good-humour on the squire's part, this rapping at the window.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.”

All words in this reading · 67

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 He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

always

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

From this reading It was always a sign of good-humour on the squire's part, this rapping at the window.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

became

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

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

contents

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

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

DALE

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

From this reading LILY DALE GOES TO LONDON.

daughter

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

down

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

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

drawing-room

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

end

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

gloomy

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

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

go

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

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

GOES

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

From this reading LILY DALE GOES TO LONDON.

good-humour

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

From this reading It was always a sign of good-humour on the squire's part, this rapping at the window.

GreatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

hand

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

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

House

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was always a sign of good-humour on the squire's part, this rapping at the window.

knew

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

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

letter

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

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

LILY

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

From this reading LILY DALE GOES TO LONDON.

LONDON

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

From this reading LILY DALE GOES TO LONDON.

March

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

moods

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

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

mother

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

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

Mrs

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

necessary

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

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

note

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

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was always a sign of good-humour on the squire's part, this rapping at the window.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was always a sign of good-humour on the squire's part, this rapping at the window.

rapped

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

rapping

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

From this reading It was always a sign of good-humour on the squire's part, this rapping at the window.

see

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

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

sign

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

From this reading It was always a sign of good-humour on the squire's part, this rapping at the window.

sister-in-law

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

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

sitting

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

Small

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

speak

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

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

squire

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

squire's

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

From this reading It was always a sign of good-humour on the squire's part, this rapping at the window.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had a letter in his hand, and both Lily and her mother knew that he had come down to speak about the contents of the letter.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It was always a sign of good-humour on the squire's part, this rapping at the window.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading LILY DALE GOES TO LONDON.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was always a sign of good-humour on the squire's part, this rapping at the window.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

window

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

From this reading One morning towards the end of March the squire rapped at the window of the drawing-room of the Small House, in which Mrs. Dale and her daughter were sitting.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.

write

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

From this reading When it became necessary to him in his gloomy moods to see his sister-in-law, he would write a note to her, and she would go across to him at the Great House.