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The Old Man in the Corner
The Old Man in the Corner

Chapter XXXV

Cover illustration for The Old Man in the Corner
Context Illustration Reading 1/4 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE END He had paused, absorbed in meditation.
The young girl also was silent.
Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.
That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.
He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Old Man in the Corner

Chapter XXXV

Reading 1/4 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE END He had paused, absorbed in meditation.
Line 2
The young girl also was silent.
Line 3
Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.
Line 4
That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.
Line 5
He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.”

Feeling noun US /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading “That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.”

Inexplicable noun US /inexplicable/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.”

Memory noun US /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading “Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.”

Remember verb US /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading “That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.”

Wondered noun US /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.”

All words in this reading · 102

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 Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

absorbed

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

From this reading THE END He had paused, absorbed in meditation.

also

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

From this reading The young girl also was silent.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

away

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

bone-rimmed

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

bony

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

brain

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

clue

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

connection

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

corner

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

crime

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

definite

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

END

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

From this reading THE END He had paused, absorbed in meditation.

ensure

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

existed

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

fidgeting

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

fingers

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

form

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

girl

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

From this reading The young girl also was silent.

give

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE END He had paused, absorbed in meditation.

hammering

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

haunting

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

havoc

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE END He had paused, absorbed in meditation.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

hideous

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE END He had paused, absorbed in meditation.

inexplicablenounUS /inexplicable/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

just

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

knots

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

knuckles

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

lean

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

made

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

meditation

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

From this reading THE END He had paused, absorbed in meditation.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

mystery

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

nerves

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

once

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

ones

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

only

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

paused

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

From this reading THE END He had paused, absorbed in meditation.

persistently

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

piece

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

playing

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

recollect

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

sarcastic

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

scarecrow

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

see

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

self-conceited

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

set

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

silent

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

From this reading The young girl also was silent.

Some

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

spectacles

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

string

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

table

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE END He had paused, absorbed in meditation.

there

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

tiresome

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

too

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

top

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

tragic

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

triumph

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

undo

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

vague

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

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The young girl also was silent.

watching

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

wonderednounUS /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

world

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

From this reading He was watching her through his great bone-rimmed spectacles, and she could see the knuckles of his bony hands, just above the top of the table, fidgeting, fidgeting, fidgeting, till she wondered if there existed another set of fingers in the world which could undo the knots his lean ones made in that tiresome piece of string.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading That thought was the inexplicable feeling within her that there was something in connection with that hideous crime which she ought to recollect, something which--if she could only remember what it was--would give her the clue to the tragic mystery, and for once ensure her triumph over this self-conceited and sarcastic scarecrow in the corner.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Some memory too vague as yet to take a definite form was persistently haunting her--one thought was hammering away in her brain, and playing havoc with her nerves.

young

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

From this reading The young girl also was silent.