adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Scott, his mother-in-law, was a worldly, shrewd little person, but good-hearted, and as easily moved or stirred as a child.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
Barry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
Barry's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading This was one of her characteristic letters, disconnected, ill-spelled, and scrawled upon scented lavender paper.
childnounUS /tʃaɪld/
a young person of either sex
From this reading Mrs. Scott, his mother-in-law, was a worldly, shrewd little person, but good-hearted, and as easily moved or stirred as a child.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Het, her mother wrote, had had a fine offer for the houses; Barry's signature only was needed to close the deal.
clubnounUS /klʌb/
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
dealverbUS /diːl/
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Het, her mother wrote, had had a fine offer for the houses; Barry's signature only was needed to close the deal.
discomfortnounUS /dɪˈskʌmfərt/
the state of being tense and feeling pain
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
disconnectedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪskəˈnektɪd/
(music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply
From this reading This was one of her characteristic letters, disconnected, ill-spelled, and scrawled upon scented lavender paper.
distrustnounUS /dɪˈstrʌst/
doubt about someone's honesty
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
easilyadverbUS /ˈiːzəli/
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Mrs. Scott, his mother-in-law, was a worldly, shrewd little person, but good-hearted, and as easily moved or stirred as a child.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Het, her mother wrote, had had a fine offer for the houses; Barry's signature only was needed to close the deal.
flatsnounUS /flæts/
footwear (shoes or slippers) with no heel (or a very low heel)
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
friendsnounUS /frendz/
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
good-heartedadjective
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading Mrs. Scott, his mother-in-law, was a worldly, shrewd little person, but good-hearted, and as easily moved or stirred as a child.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading This was one of her characteristic letters, disconnected, ill-spelled, and scrawled upon scented lavender paper.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
Hetadjective
made warm or hot (“het” is a dialectal variant of “heated”)
From this reading Het, her mother wrote, had had a fine offer for the houses; Barry's signature only was needed to close the deal.
Hetty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Het, her mother wrote, had had a fine offer for the houses; Barry's signature only was needed to close the deal.
ill-spelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was one of her characteristic letters, disconnected, ill-spelled, and scrawled upon scented lavender paper.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
lavenderadjectiveUS /ˈlævəndər/
of a pale purple color
From this reading This was one of her characteristic letters, disconnected, ill-spelled, and scrawled upon scented lavender paper.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading This was one of her characteristic letters, disconnected, ill-spelled, and scrawled upon scented lavender paper.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mrs. Scott, his mother-in-law, was a worldly, shrewd little person, but good-hearted, and as easily moved or stirred as a child.
livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
MissionnounUS /ˈmɪʃən/
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
mother-in-lawnounUS /ˈmʌðərɪnlɔː/
the mother of your spouse
From this reading Mrs. Scott, his mother-in-law, was a worldly, shrewd little person, but good-hearted, and as easily moved or stirred as a child.
movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Mrs. Scott, his mother-in-law, was a worldly, shrewd little person, but good-hearted, and as easily moved or stirred as a child.
MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Scott, his mother-in-law, was a worldly, shrewd little person, but good-hearted, and as easily moved or stirred as a child.
neededadjectiveUS /ˈniːdəd/
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading Het, her mother wrote, had had a fine offer for the houses; Barry's signature only was needed to close the deal.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
offerverbUS /ˈɔːfər/
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Het, her mother wrote, had had a fine offer for the houses; Barry's signature only was needed to close the deal.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This was one of her characteristic letters, disconnected, ill-spelled, and scrawled upon scented lavender paper.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Het, her mother wrote, had had a fine offer for the houses; Barry's signature only was needed to close the deal.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading This was one of her characteristic letters, disconnected, ill-spelled, and scrawled upon scented lavender paper.
permissionnounUS /pərˈmɪʃən/
approval to do something
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/
a human being
From this reading Mrs. Scott, his mother-in-law, was a worldly, shrewd little person, but good-hearted, and as easily moved or stirred as a child.
pleasantadjectiveUS /ˈplezənt/
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
prospectnounUS /ˈprɑːspekt/
the possibility of future success
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
reunionnounUS /riˈuːnjən/
a party of former associates who have come together again
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
scentedadjectiveUS /ˈsentɪd/
having the sense of smell
From this reading This was one of her characteristic letters, disconnected, ill-spelled, and scrawled upon scented lavender paper.
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading Mrs. Scott, his mother-in-law, was a worldly, shrewd little person, but good-hearted, and as easily moved or stirred as a child.
scrawledverbUS /skrɔːld/
past form of “scrawl” — write carelessly
From this reading This was one of her characteristic letters, disconnected, ill-spelled, and scrawled upon scented lavender paper.
sellverbUS /sel/
exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
shrewdadjectiveUS /ʃruːd/
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
From this reading Mrs. Scott, his mother-in-law, was a worldly, shrewd little person, but good-hearted, and as easily moved or stirred as a child.
sickadjectiveUS /sɪk/
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
signaturenounUS /ˈsɪɡnətʃər/
your name written in your own handwriting
From this reading Het, her mother wrote, had had a fine offer for the houses; Barry's signature only was needed to close the deal.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
stirredadjectiveUS /stɜːrd/
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
StreetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was one of her characteristic letters, disconnected, ill-spelled, and scrawled upon scented lavender paper.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This was one of her characteristic letters, disconnected, ill-spelled, and scrawled upon scented lavender paper.
vagueadjectiveUS /veɪɡ/
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
ValentinenounUS /ˈvæləntaɪn/
a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She wrote that she and Hetty were sick of San Francisco, and they wanted Barry's permission to sell the Mission Street flats that afforded them a living, and go away once and for all.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
wifenounUS /waɪf/
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
worldlyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrldli/
characteristic of or devoted to the temporal world as opposed to the spiritual world
From this reading Mrs. Scott, his mother-in-law, was a worldly, shrewd little person, but good-hearted, and as easily moved or stirred as a child.
wroteverbUS /roʊt/
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading It was no pleasant prospect of a reunion at the club, or an evening with his old friends, that had taken Barry Valentine so suddenly to San Francisco, but a letter from his wife--or, rather, from his wife's mother, for Hetty herself never wrote--which had stirred a vague distrust and discomfort in his mind.
