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A moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 3 of 3)
A moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 3 of 3)

Chapter II

Cover illustration for A moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 3 of 3)
Context Illustration Reading 1/94 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I gained my own room, but it was not to sleep.
A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.
For many hours I lay awake pondering over the best course for me to pursue.
I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.
At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.
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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 moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 3 of 3)

Chapter II

Reading 1/94 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I gained my own room, but it was not to sleep.
Line 2
A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.
Line 3
For many hours I lay awake pondering over the best course for me to pursue.
Line 4
I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.
Line 5
At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.”

Besides preposition US /bɪˈsaɪdz/

in addition to; as well as

From this reading “I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For many hours I lay awake pondering over the best course for me to pursue.”

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.”

Everybody pronoun US /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading “A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “For many hours I lay awake pondering over the best course for me to pursue.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.”

All words in this reading · 121

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 A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

awake

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

From this reading For many hours I lay awake pondering over the best course for me to pursue.

bear

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

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

Benson

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

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/

in addition to; as well as

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

best

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I gained my own room, but it was not to sleep.

concealed

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

convince

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For many hours I lay awake pondering over the best course for me to pursue.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

desirable

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

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

desired

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

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

discovered

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

downcast

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

drag

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

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

Durham

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

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

dying

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

everybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

eyes

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

felt

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

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For many hours I lay awake pondering over the best course for me to pursue.

friend

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

gained

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

From this reading I gained my own room, but it was not to sleep.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

Hall

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

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

Harry's

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

heard

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

heart

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

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

hint

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

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

hours

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

From this reading For many hours I lay awake pondering over the best course for me to pursue.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I gained my own room, but it was not to sleep.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

incidents

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

insignificant

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

issue

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I gained my own room, but it was not to sleep.

juncture

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From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

Justina

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From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

lady

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

lay

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From this reading For many hours I lay awake pondering over the best course for me to pursue.

letters

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

light

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From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

like

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From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

lips

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

longer

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From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

many

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From this reading For many hours I lay awake pondering over the best course for me to pursue.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

modest

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

Mrs

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

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

much

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From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I gained my own room, but it was not to sleep.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

niece

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I gained my own room, but it was not to sleep.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading For many hours I lay awake pondering over the best course for me to pursue.

own

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From this reading I gained my own room, but it was not to sleep.

Pet

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

pondering

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From this reading For many hours I lay awake pondering over the best course for me to pursue.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

possessed

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

powerful

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

presence

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

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

professor's

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

pursue

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

From this reading For many hours I lay awake pondering over the best course for me to pursue.

Quaker-like

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

quiet-looking

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

receive

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

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

robes

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

room

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

From this reading I gained my own room, but it was not to sleep.

sacrilege

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

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

secrets

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

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

Sir

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

sleep

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

From this reading I gained my own room, but it was not to sleep.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

some

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

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

sound

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

sprang

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

suffered

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

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

tack

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

thousand

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At the same time I felt that Mrs Benson should receive some hint that her presence in Durham Hall, at that juncture, if desired, was no longer desirable.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I gained my own room, but it was not to sleep.

undeceiving

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

From this reading I could not bear the thought of undeceiving my poor niece, whose heart had already suffered so much; besides, it seemed like sacrilege to drag to light the secrets of the dead.

up

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

visitor

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I gained my own room, but it was not to sleep.

welded

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

wife

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

writer

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.

wrong

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

From this reading A thousand incidents, insignificant in themselves, but powerful when welded into one, sprang up in my mind to convince me that Justina and I and everybody had been on a wrong tack, and that in the professor’s wife, the ‘quiet-looking little lady’ with her Quaker-like robes, downcast eyes and modest appearance, in the ‘best friend’ that my niece had ever possessed, I had discovered the writer of those letters, the concealed visitor in Sir Harry’s room, the ‘Pet’ whose name had been the last sound heard to issue from his dying lips.