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Ursula
Ursula

Chapter IV · Zelie

Cover illustration for Ursula
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.
The dullest persons have mind enough to foresee a danger to self-interests.
Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.
So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.
The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.
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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.

Ursula

Chapter IV · Zelie

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.
Line 2
The dullest persons have mind enough to foresee a danger to self-interests.
Line 3
Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.
Line 4
So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.
Line 5
The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.”

Doctor noun US /doctor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.”

Forgotten adjective US /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading “The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The dullest persons have mind enough to foresee a danger to self-interests.”

Heir noun US /er/

A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.

From this reading “So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The dullest persons have mind enough to foresee a danger to self-interests.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.”

All words in this reading · 91

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 The dullest persons have mind enough to foresee a danger to self-interests.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

beholding

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

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

brains

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

certainly

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

Church

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

constitutes

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

danger

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

From this reading The dullest persons have mind enough to foresee a danger to self-interests.

diplomatist

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

doctornounUS /doctor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

drag

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

dullest

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

From this reading The dullest persons have mind enough to foresee a danger to self-interests.

enough

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

From this reading The dullest persons have mind enough to foresee a danger to self-interests.

fatal

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

fifty

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

fire

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

foresee

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

From this reading The dullest persons have mind enough to foresee a danger to self-interests.

forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

francs

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

fright

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

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

godfather

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

ground

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The dullest persons have mind enough to foresee a danger to self-interests.

hearing

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

heirnounUS /er/

A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

heirs

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

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

hundred

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

hurry

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

influence

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

leave

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

letters

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

losing

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

mass

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

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

master

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

men

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The dullest persons have mind enough to foresee a danger to self-interests.

most

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

now

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

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

obtuse

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

pale

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

peasant

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

persons

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

From this reading The dullest persons have mind enough to foresee a danger to self-interests.

post

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

powerful

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

property

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

reach

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

really

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

reasoning

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

Self-interest

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

self-interests

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

From this reading The dullest persons have mind enough to foresee a danger to self-interests.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

sometimes

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

son

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

square

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

stamped

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

stupidest

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

thousand

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

two

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

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

uncle

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

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

understood

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

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

Ursula

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading So the fatal reasoning, “If that little Ursula has influence enough to drag her godfather into the pale of the Church she will certainly have enough to make him leave her his property,” was now stamped in letters of fire on the brains of the most obtuse heir.

way

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

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.

well

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

From this reading Self-interest constitutes the mind of the peasant as well as that of the diplomatist, and on that ground the stupidest of men is sometimes the most powerful.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The post master had forgotten about his son in his hurry to reach the square; for if the doctor were really in the church hearing mass it was a question of losing two hundred and fifty thousand francs.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading The fright of the heirs at beholding their uncle on his way to mass will now be understood.