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 Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
accompany
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
ailing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
Basil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
boisterous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
chose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
curious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been with a curious mixture of feelings he had heard this.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
diffidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
Doris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
Dudley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
Ethel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
everywhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
feelings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been with a curious mixture of feelings he had heard this.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he felt she might seem to have been rather unkindly left out.
flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
Hal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Perhaps he felt she might seem to have been rather unkindly left out.
Hayward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been with a curious mixture of feelings he had heard this.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
Holloway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
include
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
invitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
learnt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Perhaps he felt she might seem to have been rather unkindly left out.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
Marlow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
mention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Perhaps he felt she might seem to have been rather unkindly left out.
mixture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been with a curious mixture of feelings he had heard this.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
mutual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he felt she might seem to have been rather unkindly left out.
outright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
Perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he felt she might seem to have been rather unkindly left out.
persuade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
picnic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
plans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he felt she might seem to have been rather unkindly left out.
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
schoolgirl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he felt she might seem to have been rather unkindly left out.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Perhaps he felt she might seem to have been rather unkindly left out.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As a matter of fact, an invitation to include his sister had been given; but, for reasons he hardly stopped to face, he chose not to mention it.
Sunday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
theirspronounUS /ðerz/
the one or ones belonging to them
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It had been with a curious mixture of feelings he had heard this.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
unkindly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps he felt she might seem to have been rather unkindly left out.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
vigorous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dudley hardly knew, himself, why he spoke diffidently about his plans for Sunday, and why he did not tell Hal outright that he was taking Doris Hayward to a picnic at Marlow, given by mutual friends of his and theirs—friends of the old vigorous days, when he and Basil Hayward had gone everywhere together, and Hal had still been a boisterous schoolgirl.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It had been with a curious mixture of feelings he had heard this.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading That was after he had learnt from a visit to the little Holloway flat that nothing would persuade Ethel to leave her brother, who had been ailing more than usual of late, and Doris would accompany him alone.
