Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Sisters — Complete
The Sisters — Complete

Chapter III

Cover illustration for The Sisters — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.
She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.
Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.
It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.
She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Sisters — Complete

Chapter III

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.
Line 2
She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.
Line 3
Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.
Line 4
It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.
Line 5
She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.”

Foot noun US /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.”

All words in this reading · 106

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 Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

agitations

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

almost

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

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

any

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

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

ask

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

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

bird

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

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

carrying

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

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

chafing

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

commonly

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

companion

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

crying

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

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

discussed

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

drooping

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

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

eyes

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

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

famishing

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

feelings

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

fell

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

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

flew

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

footnounUS /foot/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

get

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

girl

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

girls

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

head

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

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

home

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

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

how

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

hurt

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

Irene's

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

Klea

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

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

longings

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

love

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

manner

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

meal

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

more

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

much

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

occurred

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

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

once

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

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

other

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

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

peace

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

peaches

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

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

pleasure

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

pleasures

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

quickened

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

reached

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

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

relish

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

roast

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

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

Roman

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

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

Roman's

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

rough

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

savory

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

shone

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

sister

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

sleep

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

smiled

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

spirit

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

stranger

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

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

strap

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

susceptible

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

thoughts

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

torments

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

two

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

unkind

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

used

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

utterly

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

violets

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

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.

wanted

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

way

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

wearied

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She went towards home with a drooping head and almost crying, but before she had reached it her eyes fell on the peaches and the roast bird she was carrying.

word

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

words

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

From this reading Irene's foot was not more susceptible to the chafing of a strap than her spirit to a rough or an unkind word; the Roman's words and manner had hurt her feelings.

work

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

From this reading She had never had any other companion than Klea, and after work, when other girls commonly discussed their longings and their agitations and the pleasures and the torments of love, these two used to get home so utterly wearied that they wanted nothing but peace and sleep.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Her thoughts flew to her sister and how much the famishing girl would relish so savory a meal; she smiled again, her eyes shone with pleasure, and she went on her way with a quickened step.

young

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

From this reading It never once occurred to her that Klea would ask for the violets, or that the young Roman could be anything more to her sister than any other stranger.