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The Sorceress
The Sorceress

Chapter VII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Mrs. Kingsward’s opening speech was a wonder to hear.
She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.
It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!
And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.
Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.
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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 Sorceress

Chapter VII

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Mrs. Kingsward’s opening speech was a wonder to hear.
Line 2
She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.
Line 3
It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!
Line 4
And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.
Line 5
Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.”

Everybody pronoun US /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading “It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mrs. Kingsward’s opening speech was a wonder to hear.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!”

Nineteen noun US /ˈnineteen/

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

From this reading “It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!”

Nobody pronoun US /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading “It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.”

Seeing noun US /seeing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.”

Support verb US /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading “Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.”

All words in this reading · 128

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 Mrs. Kingsward’s opening speech was a wonder to hear.

absorption

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

all

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

amusing

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

any

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

appealing

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

Aubrey

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

Aubrey's

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

back

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

bairn

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

Bee

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

Bee's

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

Betty's

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

bright

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

From this reading And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

calculated

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

Charlie

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

child

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

circumstances

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

coming

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

darkness

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

From this reading And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.

delightful

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

dismay

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

diversion

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

engaged

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

everybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

excitement

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

face

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

From this reading And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

fix

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

flashed

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

girls

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

given

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

happiness

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

From this reading And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mrs. Kingsward’s opening speech was a wonder to hear.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

humiliation

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

immovable

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

impersonation

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

Kingsward

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

Kingsward's

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From this reading Mrs. Kingsward’s opening speech was a wonder to hear.

lave

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From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

like

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

marry

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

meant

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

moment

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

moments

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

mother

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

Mrs

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

From this reading Mrs. Kingsward’s opening speech was a wonder to hear.

mutual

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

nineteennounUS /ˈnineteen/

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

now

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

opening

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From this reading Mrs. Kingsward’s opening speech was a wonder to hear.

other

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

out

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

From this reading And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.

overcast

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

From this reading And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.

pair

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

pleasure

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.

proposal

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

respected

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

romance

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

said

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

sat

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

saw

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

see

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

seeing

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

seen

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

severity

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

some

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

speech

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

From this reading Mrs. Kingsward’s opening speech was a wonder to hear.

steady

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

stronger

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

supportverbUS /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

sweet

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

there

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

thrown

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

From this reading And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Mrs. Kingsward’s opening speech was a wonder to hear.

triumph

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

trying

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

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

turned

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

understood

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

uttermost

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

From this reading And to think of Bee’s bright face overcast, and her happiness over, and poor Aubrey thrown out into the uttermost darkness.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Mrs. Kingsward’s opening speech was a wonder to hear.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading She sat and looked at them all for a moment, trying to steady herself, but there was nothing to steady her in what she saw before her--Aubrey and Bee, the pair who had been so sweet to see, such a diversion in all circumstances, so amusing in their mutual absorption, so delightful in their romance.

wistful

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

From this reading Had she seen Charlie it might have given her some support, for Charlie was the impersonation of immovable severity; but Betty’s wistful little face behind the other pair, coming out from Aubrey’s shadow by moments to fix an appealing look upon her mother, was not calculated to make her any stronger.

wonder

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

From this reading Mrs. Kingsward’s opening speech was a wonder to hear.

words

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

From this reading It all flashed back to her mind; the excitement of Bee’s first proposal, the pleasure of seeing “her bairn respected like the lave,” though Mrs. Kingsward might not have understood what these words meant, the little triumph it was to see her child engaged at nineteen, when everybody said there was nobody for the girls to marry--and now to have that triumph turned into humiliation and dismay!