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A waif's progress
A waif's progress

Chapter XXXII

Cover illustration for A waif's progress
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The spring drew on disagreeably, according to its vernal wont.
But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.
As to the temperature, what did that matter in London?
Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.
Such were a part of Miss Ransome’s reflections on the 10th of March.
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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 waif's progress

Chapter XXXII

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The spring drew on disagreeably, according to its vernal wont.
Line 2
But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.
Line 3
As to the temperature, what did that matter in London?
Line 4
Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.
Line 5
Such were a part of Miss Ransome’s reflections on the 10th of March.

Learner Dictionary

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

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The spring drew on disagreeably, according to its vernal wont.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.”

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Such were a part of Miss Ransome’s reflections on the 10th of March.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.”

Yourself pronoun US /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading “Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.”

All words in this reading · 78

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

10th

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

From this reading Such were a part of Miss Ransome’s reflections on the 10th of March.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Such were a part of Miss Ransome’s reflections on the 10th of March.

according

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

From this reading The spring drew on disagreeably, according to its vernal wont.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

anemone

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As to the temperature, what did that matter in London?

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

compassion

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

country

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

days

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

disagreeably

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

From this reading The spring drew on disagreeably, according to its vernal wont.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The spring drew on disagreeably, according to its vernal wont.

else's

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

enough

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

fields

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

fire

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

flower-baskets

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

France

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The spring drew on disagreeably, according to its vernal wont.

lengthening

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

London

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

From this reading As to the temperature, what did that matter in London?

March

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

From this reading Such were a part of Miss Ransome’s reflections on the 10th of March.

matter

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

From this reading As to the temperature, what did that matter in London?

Miss

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

From this reading Such were a part of Miss Ransome’s reflections on the 10th of March.

much

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

narcissus

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

odious

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The spring drew on disagreeably, according to its vernal wont.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

own

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Such were a part of Miss Ransome’s reflections on the 10th of March.

pity

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

Ransome's

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

From this reading Such were a part of Miss Ransome’s reflections on the 10th of March.

reflections

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

From this reading Such were a part of Miss Ransome’s reflections on the 10th of March.

round

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

scenting

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

Scilly

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

sea

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

sheets

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

shiverers

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

spare

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

spreading

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

spring

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

From this reading The spring drew on disagreeably, according to its vernal wont.

streets

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Such were a part of Miss Ransome’s reflections on the 10th of March.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

temperature

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

From this reading As to the temperature, what did that matter in London?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The spring drew on disagreeably, according to its vernal wont.

thermometer

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The spring drew on disagreeably, according to its vernal wont.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

town-dweller

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

vernal

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

From this reading The spring drew on disagreeably, according to its vernal wont.

wane

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

Warmed

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

well

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

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

winter

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

From this reading But if the thermometer did not tell that winter was on the wane, the lengthening days did so, and the flower-baskets in the streets told the town-dweller what sheets of anemone and narcissus were spreading over the pleasant fields of France, and scenting the sea round Scilly.

wont

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

From this reading The spring drew on disagreeably, according to its vernal wont.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.

yourselfpronounUS /jərˈself/

used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action

From this reading Warmed by every one else’s fire as well as your own, you had pity enough and to spare for shiverers in the odious country, but not much need for compassion yourself.