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An Old Maid
An Old Maid

Chapter II · Susannah and the Elders

Cover illustration for An Old Maid
Context Illustration Reading 1/54 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
“Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
“What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
“I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
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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.

An Old Maid

Chapter II · Susannah and the Elders

Reading 1/54 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
Line 2
Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
Line 3
“Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
Line 4
“What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
Line 5
“I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”

Learner Dictionary

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

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?””

Despite preposition US /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading “On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.”

Handsome noun US /ˈhandsome/

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

From this reading “Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?””

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?””

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading ““I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?””

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?””

Running noun US /ˈrunning/

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

From this reading “On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading ““I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?””

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?””

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

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

From this reading “Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.”

All words in this reading · 97

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

16

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

Ah

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

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

any

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

bachelor

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

chevalier

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”

cotton

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

damask

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

de

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

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

dear

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

From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”

despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

discontinuing

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

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

discreetly

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

door

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

dressing-gown

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

early

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

ears

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

eel

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

girl

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

give

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

From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”

green-flowered

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

heard

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

jewel

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

From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”

light

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

like

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”

middle

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

mischief

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

From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”

mode

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

moment

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

much

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

From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”

occupation

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

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

occupied

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

old

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

pain

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

From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”

perhaps

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

From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”

pleasure

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

From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”

Presently

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

putting

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

razor

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

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

reckoning

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

response

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

room

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

runningnounUS /ˈrunning/

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

said

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

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

slipped

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”

spring

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

stairway

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

stropping

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

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

Suzanne

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

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

taps

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

then

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

three

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

up

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

Valois

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

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

waiting

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

Wednesday

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.

year

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.

young

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

From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.