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At Love's Cost
At Love's Cost

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for At Love's Cost
Context Illustration Reading 1/59 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
"A white tie to-night, Staff?
Anything on?"
"Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.
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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.

At Love's Cost

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/59 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.
Line 2
Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.
Line 3
"A white tie to-night, Staff?
Line 4
Anything on?"
/ˈeniθɪŋ ɑːn/
Line 5
"Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “Anything on?"”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.”

All words in this reading · 66

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

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading "A white tie to-night, Staff?

absently

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

From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

AnythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading Anything on?"

approval

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

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

away

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

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

bland

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

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

dance

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

From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.

dinner

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

door

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

dressed

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

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

dressing

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

easy-chair

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

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

father

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

friend

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

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

get

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

Howard

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

Ida

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

knocked

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

Measom

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

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

night

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Anything on?"

opportunity

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

rather

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

From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.

sank

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

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

sent

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

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

speaking

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

Staff

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

From this reading "A white tie to-night, Staff?

Stafford

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

surveyed

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

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

there

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

From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.

tie

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

From this reading "A white tie to-night, Staff?

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

to-night

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

From this reading "A white tie to-night, Staff?

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

white

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

From this reading "A white tie to-night, Staff?

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

wise

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Stafford told him to come in, and sent Measom away, and Howard, who was already dressed, sank into an easy-chair and surveyed his friend with bland approval.

wondering

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading While Stafford was dressing for dinner that night, and wondering whether even if he should get an opportunity of speaking to his father, it would be wise to tell him of Ida, Howard knocked at the door.

Yes

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

From this reading "Yes; there is a dance," replied Stafford, rather absently.