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Brownlows: A Novel
Brownlows: A Novel

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for Brownlows: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/56 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
ALL FOR LOVE.
It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.
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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.

Brownlows: A Novel

Chapter XX

Reading 1/56 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
ALL FOR LOVE.
Line 2
It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.
Line 3
The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.
Line 4
The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.
Line 5
He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

Learner Dictionary

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

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.”

Passage noun US /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading “The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.”

Twilight noun US /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/

the dim light before night or sunrise

From this reading “The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.”

All words in this reading · 102

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 The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

ALL

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

From this reading ALL FOR LOVE.

almost

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

amusing

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

Betty's

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

bit

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

business

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

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

carried

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

Cottages

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

crisis

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

dark

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

dewy

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

dim

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

dinner

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

dog-cart

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

door

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

fire

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ALL FOR LOVE.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

gleam

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

happened

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

happy

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

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

head

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

home

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

how

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

illumination

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

indicate

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

innocent

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

interval

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

Jack

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

Jack's

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

John

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

just

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

light

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

LOVE

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

From this reading ALL FOR LOVE.

lover

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

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

made

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

momentous

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

Mr

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

Mrs

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

much

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

old

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

only

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

opened

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

out

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

passagenounUS /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

perennial

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

presence

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

Preston's

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

rapturously

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

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

reached

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

returning

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

Ridley

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

road

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

serious

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

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

shone

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

smile

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

Swayne's

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

then

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

there

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/

the dim light before night or sunrise

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

unconscious

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

very

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

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

watch

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

way

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The only bit of illumination there was in the dim dewy twilight road, was a gleam from old Betty’s perennial fire, which shone out as she opened the door to watch the passage of the dog-cart just then returning from Ridley, where it ought to have carried Mr. John to dinner.

whirl

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

From this reading The dog-cart was just returning home, in an innocent, unconscious way; but how much had happened in the interval! the thought made Jack’s head whirl a little, and made him half smile; only half smile--for such a momentous crisis is not amusing.

whole

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

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.

window

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

From this reading It was almost dark when Jack reached Swayne’s Cottages, and there was no light in Mrs. Preston’s window to indicate her presence.

young

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

From this reading He had not had time to think whether or not he was rapturously happy, as a young lover ought to be: on the whole, it was a very serious business.