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Beechcroft at Rockstone
Beechcroft at Rockstone

Chapter XVI · ‘They Come, They Come’

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Context Illustration Reading 1/57 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.
While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.
And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.
He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.
Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.
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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.

Beechcroft at Rockstone

Chapter XVI · ‘They Come, They Come’

Reading 1/57 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.
Line 2
While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.
Line 3
And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.
Line 4
He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.
Line 5
Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

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 “He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.”

Dagger noun US /ˈdæɡ.ər/

A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.

From this reading “Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.”

Garrison noun US /ˈɡærəsən/

a group stationed to defend a place

From this reading “And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.”

Mortal adjective US /ˈmɔːrtəl/

causing or relating to death

From this reading “Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.”

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.”

Score noun US /score/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.”

All words in this reading · 107

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 And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

alarms

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

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

all

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

any

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

Avoncester

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

brother

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

called

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

concealed

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

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

consequences

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

DaggernounUS /ˈdæɡ.ər/

A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

disease

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

dismissal

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

Dr

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

end

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

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

exacting

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

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

examined

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

facing

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

faith

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

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

fatal

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

fear

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

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

felt

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

find

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

foolishly

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

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

fortitude

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

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

friends

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

garrisonnounUS /ˈɡærəsən/

a group stationed to defend a place

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

hearing

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

heart-broken

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

horrified

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

incapable

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

Kalliope

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

knew

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

letter

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

mortaladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrtəl/

causing or relating to death

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

Mrs

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

nearest

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

nearly

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

neglect

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

once

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

own

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

people

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

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

perhaps

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

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

presumption

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

pronounced

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

put

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

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

reached

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

really

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

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

removed

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

result

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

scorenounUS /score/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

scruples

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

selfish

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

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

sentence

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

severe

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

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

sister

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

stage

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

suffering

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

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

there

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

tidings

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

town

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

turned

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.

unhappy

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

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

weak

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

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

White

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

From this reading Dr. Dagger examined Mrs. White and pronounced that there had been mortal disease of long standing, and that she had nearly, if not quite, reached the last stage.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He told his sister that, heart-broken already at the result of what he knew to be his own presumption, and horrified at the fatal consequences of his unhappy neglect, he felt incapable of facing any of those whom he had once called his friends, and the letter of dismissal had removed all scruples.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading While people had thought her selfish, weak, and exacting, she must really have concealed severe suffering, foolishly perhaps, but with great fortitude.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Had it not been for his faith and fear, he would have put an end to his life, but she need have no alarms on that score.

written

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

From this reading And from hearing this sentence, Kalliope had turned to find at last tidings of her brother in a letter written from Avoncester, the nearest garrison town.