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A Lost Cause
A Lost Cause

Chapter V

Cover illustration for A Lost Cause
Context Illustration Reading 1/50 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."
The last preparations for the garden party were being made.
The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.
Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.
The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.
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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 Lost Cause

Chapter V

Reading 1/50 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."
Line 2
The last preparations for the garden party were being made.
Line 3
The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.
Line 4
Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.
Line 5
The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.

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 “Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “The last preparations for the garden party were being made.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The last preparations for the garden party were being made.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The last preparations for the garden party were being made.”

POOR noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."”

Stand noun US /stand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."”

Wilderness noun US /ˈwɪldərnəs/

a wild area where few people live

From this reading “The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.”

All words in this reading · 94

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

all

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

From this reading The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

band

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

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

baskets

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The last preparations for the garden party were being made.

big

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

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

boxes

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

brick

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

From this reading The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.

brilliant

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

chose

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

DAVIES

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

down

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

dress-coats

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

element

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

enough

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

ENTER

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

erected

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

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The last preparations for the garden party were being made.

fresh

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

From this reading The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.

GARDEN

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

geraniums

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

From this reading The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.

green

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

GUSSIE

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

ice

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The last preparations for the garden party were being made.

lawns

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

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

like

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

looking

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

Lucy

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

lunch

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

made

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

From this reading The last preparations for the garden party were being made.

magpie's

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

marked

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

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

marquee

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

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

metallic

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

MISS

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

moving

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

Mr

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

newly

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

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

night

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

oasis

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

From this reading The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.

oddly

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

old-fashioned

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

From this reading The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

out

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The last preparations for the garden party were being made.

POORnounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

preparations

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

From this reading The last preparations for the garden party were being made.

PRITCHETT

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

remarked

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

Saturday

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

serviceable

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

showed

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

small

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

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

stand

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

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

Stephens

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

stocks

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

From this reading The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.

strawberries

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

string

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

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

sunflowers

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

From this reading The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.

sunshine

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

tennis

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

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

there

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

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

tinged

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

Todgers

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

VICARAGE

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

Waiters

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The big marquee was erected, the tennis lawns were newly marked, there was a small stand for the string band.

WEALTHY

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

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The last preparations for the garden party were being made.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading WEALTHY MISS PRITCHETT AND POOR GUSSIE DAVIES ENTER THE VICARAGE GARDEN "Todgers," Mr. Stephens remarked to Lucy, as they went down into the garden after lunch on Saturday, "could do it when it chose."

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/

a wild area where few people live

From this reading The old-fashioned garden, an oasis in the wilderness of brick all around, was brilliant with sunflowers, stocks, and geraniums; the lawns were fresh and green.

wing

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.

zinc

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

From this reading Waiters, looking oddly out of their element in the brilliant sunshine, which showed dress-coats, serviceable enough at night, tinged with a metallic green like a magpie's wing, were moving about with baskets of strawberries and zinc boxes of ice.