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 attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
any
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From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
attended
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From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
bearing
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From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
bent
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From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
Bible
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From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
chosen
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From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
comments
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From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
COMPLETED
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From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
distinguish
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From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
dogmatising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
Doubtless
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From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
formal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
formalism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
grandfather's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
instruction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
involved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
Jane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
JOKE
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From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
lead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
Michael
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
moral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
own
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From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
passages
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From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
possess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
professed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
purely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
questions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
reflected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
reflection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
religion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
religious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
significance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
Snowdon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
source
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
Sunday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
therein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Jane should possess the religious spirit was a desire he never lost sight of; the single purpose of his life was involved therein; but formalism was against the bent of his nature.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
unexpectedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
unimportant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We have seen that he used the Bible as a source of moral instruction; Jane and he still read passages together on a Sunday morning, but only such were chosen as had a purely human significance, and the comments to which they gave occasion never had any but a human bearing.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading THE JOKE IS COMPLETED Michael Snowdon—to distinguish the old man by name from the son who thus unexpectedly returned to him—professed no formal religion.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attended no Sunday service, nor had ever shown a wish that Jane should do so.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Doubtless Jane reflected on these things; it was her grandfather’s purpose to lead her to such reflection, without himself dogmatising on questions which from his own point of view were unimportant.
