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A Poor Gentleman
A Poor Gentleman

Chapter XXXI

Cover illustration for A Poor Gentleman
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
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KEEPING UP APPEARANCES.
The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.
The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.
Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?
She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Poor Gentleman

Chapter XXXI

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES.
Line 2
The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.
Line 3
The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.
Line 4
Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?
Line 5
She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading “The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.”

All words in this reading · 110

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 Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

all

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

anxious

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

APPEARANCES

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

From this reading KEEPING UP APPEARANCES.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

avoided

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

away

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

believed

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

bring

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

burden

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

carry

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

conclusions

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

conversation

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

discussion

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

dismissed

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

distance

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

effort

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

efforts

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

employed

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

equal

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

exertion

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

exhaust

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

expenditure

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

forming

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

get

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

gigantic

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

graver

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

how

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

keep

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

KEEPING

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

From this reading KEEPING UP APPEARANCES.

Lady

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

lead

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

leap

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

made

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

mile

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

noting

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

occurred

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

off

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

ordinary

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

Penton

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

Pentons

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

people

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

Russell

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

saw

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

signs

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

smile

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

sometimes

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

son

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

speak

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

stayed

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

stronger

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

subjects

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

talk

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

tendencies

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

theme

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

topics

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

trivial

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

turn

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

unappreciated

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

unhappiness

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

UP

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

From this reading KEEPING UP APPEARANCES.

visitors

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

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

Walter

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

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Who can tell the burden it was to talk, to smile, to exhaust all the trivial subjects that occurred to her, to keep at a distance all those graver topics which might bring in Walter--which might lead to discussion of where he was or how employed?

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The Russell Pentons stayed a long time--at least, these anxious people thought so, who believed their visitors to be noting the signs of their unhappiness, and forming still stronger and stronger conclusions against their son.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

women

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading She saw, so to speak, half a mile off those tendencies of conversation which might lead to him, and, with a sudden leap, would get away from these to another and another theme, which each in its turn would have to be dismissed and avoided.

years

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

From this reading The effort Lady Penton made to carry on the conversation was one of those efforts, gigantic, unappreciated, in which women have sometimes to make an expenditure of strength which is equal to years of ordinary exertion.