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A Flat Iron for a Farthing
A Flat Iron for a Farthing

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for A Flat Iron for a Farthing
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE REAL MR.
GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."
Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.
My faith in him was as implicit as he well deserved that it should be.
Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.
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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.

A Flat Iron for a Farthing

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE REAL MR.
Line 2
GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."
Line 3
Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.
Line 4
My faith in him was as implicit as he well deserved that it should be.
Line 5
Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.

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 “GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."”

BUNDLE noun US /ˈbʌndəl/

a group of things tied or wrapped together

From this reading “GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “My faith in him was as implicit as he well deserved that it should be.”

All words in this reading · 74

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

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

accuse

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

From this reading Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading My faith in him was as implicit as he well deserved that it should be.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

better

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

Black

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

From this reading Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.

BUNDLEnounUS /ˈbʌndəl/

a group of things tied or wrapped together

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.

called

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.

deceiving

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

From this reading Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.

described

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

deserved

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

From this reading My faith in him was as implicit as he well deserved that it should be.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.

DISFAVOUR

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

downstairs

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

expression

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

face

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

faith

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

From this reading My faith in him was as implicit as he well deserved that it should be.

father

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

feelings

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

five

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

From this reading Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.

following

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.

GRAY

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading My faith in him was as implicit as he well deserved that it should be.

HIMpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.

imagined

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

implicit

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

From this reading My faith in him was as implicit as he well deserved that it should be.

impossible

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

From this reading Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.

instant

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

From this reading Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading My faith in him was as implicit as he well deserved that it should be.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

MR

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

From this reading THE REAL MR.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

NotadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.

NURSE

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

o'clock

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

odd

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Not for one instant did I in my mind accuse my father of deceiving me.

possible

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

From this reading Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.

REAL

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

From this reading THE REAL MR.

REGARDS

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

Regie

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

said

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading My faith in him was as implicit as he well deserved that it should be.

ten

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

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading My faith in him was as implicit as he well deserved that it should be.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE REAL MR.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

things

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

From this reading Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.

two

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

From this reading Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading My faith in him was as implicit as he well deserved that it should be.

well

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

From this reading My faith in him was as implicit as he well deserved that it should be.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

white

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

From this reading Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.

WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading GRAY--NURSE BUNDLE REGARDS HIM WITH DISFAVOUR My feelings may therefore be "better imagined than described" when, at about ten o'clock the following morning, my father called me downstairs, and said, with an odd expression on his face, "Regie, Mr. Gray has come."

wrong

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

From this reading Black might be white, two and two might make five, impossible things might be possible, but my father could not be in the wrong.