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A Window in Thrums
A Window in Thrums

Chapter XIV

Cover illustration for A Window in Thrums
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
VISITORS AT THE MANSE.
On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.
She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.
Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.
When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.
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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 Window in Thrums

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
VISITORS AT THE MANSE.
Line 2
On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.
Line 3
She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.
Line 4
Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.
Line 5
When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.”

Cowed verb US /kaʊd/

made afraid or less confident

From this reading “She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.”

Equally noun US /ˈequally/

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

From this reading “When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.”

Tongue noun US /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.”

All words in this reading · 104

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 She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

actions

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

all

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

amused

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

answer

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading VISITORS AT THE MANSE.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

bride

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

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

bringing

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

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

came

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

common

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

contrasted

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

conversation

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

cowedverbUS /kaʊd/

made afraid or less confident

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

cream

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

days

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

deal

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

dish

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

drawn

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

drinking

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

Edinburgh

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

Englishy

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

equallynounUS /ˈequally/

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

especially

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

father

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

folk

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

frank

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

genteel

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

grand

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

happened

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

Hendry's

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

home

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

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

Jamie

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

knew

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

lady

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

Leeby

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

like

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

MANSE

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

From this reading VISITORS AT THE MANSE.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

minister

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

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

minister's

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

monosyllabic

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

parlour

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

place

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

please

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

politely

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

realized

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

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

refused

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

replies

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

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

reply

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

said

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

showed

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

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

simple

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

sitting

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

sugar

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

tea

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading VISITORS AT THE MANSE.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

three

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

tonguenounUS /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

very

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

VISITORS

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

From this reading VISITORS AT THE MANSE.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

well-intended

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

wife

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

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She was a grand lady from Edinburgh, though very frank, and we simple folk amused her a good deal, especially when we were sitting cowed in the manse parlour drinking a dish of tea with her, as happened to Leeby, her father, and me, three days before Jamie came home.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading On bringing home his bride, the minister showed her to us, and we thought she would do when she realized that she was not the minister.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Leeby had refused to be drawn into conversation, like one who knew her place, yet all her actions were genteel and her monosyllabic replies in the Englishy tongue, as of one who was, after all, a little above the common.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading When the minister's wife asked her whether she took sugar and cream, she said politely, "If you please" (though she did not take sugar), a reply that contrasted with Hendry's equally well-intended answer to the same question.