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Wives and Daughters
Wives and Daughters

Chapter XVIII

Cover illustration for Wives and Daughters
Context Illustration Reading 1/73 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FATHER AND SONS.
Things were not going on any better at Hamley Hall.
Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.
Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.
There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Wives and Daughters

Chapter XVIII

Reading 1/73 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FATHER AND SONS.
Line 2
Things were not going on any better at Hamley Hall.
Line 3
Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.
Line 4
Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.
Line 5
There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

Learner Dictionary

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

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.”

Feeling noun US /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading “Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.”

Help noun US /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.”

Relief noun US /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading “There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.”

Wondered noun US /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.”

All words in this reading · 89

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

all

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading FATHER AND SONS.

any

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

From this reading Things were not going on any better at Hamley Hall.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Things were not going on any better at Hamley Hall.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

better

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

From this reading Things were not going on any better at Hamley Hall.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

bring

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

change

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

confidant

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

continuance

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

daily

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

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

deepen

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

defining

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

dissatisfaction

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

dissatisfied

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

distinctness

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

eldest

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

emotions

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

enough

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

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

fallen

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

falling

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

FATHER

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

From this reading FATHER AND SONS.

feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

gloom

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

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

going

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

From this reading Things were not going on any better at Hamley Hall.

habit

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

Hall

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

From this reading Things were not going on any better at Hamley Hall.

Hamley

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

From this reading Things were not going on any better at Hamley Hall.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

health

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

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

leave

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

less

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

making

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

merely

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Things were not going on any better at Hamley Hall.

NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

occurred

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

off

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

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Things were not going on any better at Hamley Hall.

opinions

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

Osborne

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

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

power

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

respectively

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

Roger

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

shake

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

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

sometimes

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

son

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

SONS

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

From this reading FATHER AND SONS.

Squire

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

state

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

There

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

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

Things

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

From this reading Things were not going on any better at Hamley Hall.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

together

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

unexpressed

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There was little enough relief in the daily life at the Hall to help them all to shake off the gloom; and it even told on the health of both the Squire and Osborne.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Things were not going on any better at Hamley Hall.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Nothing had occurred to change the state of dissatisfied feeling into which the Squire and his eldest son had respectively fallen; and the long continuance merely of dissatisfaction is sure of itself to deepen the feeling.

wonderednounUS /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Roger did all in his power to bring the father and son together; but sometimes wondered if it would not have been better to leave them alone; for they were falling into the habit of each making him their confidant, and so defining emotions and opinions which would have had less distinctness if they had been unexpressed.