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Captures
Captures

Chapter VII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
1921.
VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.
His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.
He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.
Perhaps she was prettier than the others, certainly younger, and she was crying.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Captures

Chapter VII

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
1921.
Line 2
VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.
Line 3
His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.
Line 4
He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.
Line 5
Perhaps she was prettier than the others, certainly younger, and she was crying.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.”

Entirely noun US /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading “VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Perhaps she was prettier than the others, certainly younger, and she was crying.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.”

VIRTUE noun US /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/

Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.

From this reading “VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.”

All words in this reading · 87

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

1921

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

From this reading 1921.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

accident

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

assurance

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

baby

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

blue

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

car

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

certain

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

certainly

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

From this reading Perhaps she was prettier than the others, certainly younger, and she was crying.

clenching

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

clerk

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

climax

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

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

court

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

crying

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

From this reading Perhaps she was prettier than the others, certainly younger, and she was crying.

curly

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

dealt

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

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

evidence

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

eyes

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

fined

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

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

fists

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

forehead

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

four

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

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

give

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

hair

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

Harold

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

hat

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

ingenuous

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

involuntarily

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

jugged

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

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

ladies

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

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

law

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

like

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

manifestations

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

matter

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

Mellesh

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

minor

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

moving

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

new

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

occasion

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

opened

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

others

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

From this reading Perhaps she was prettier than the others, certainly younger, and she was crying.

Perhaps

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

From this reading Perhaps she was prettier than the others, certainly younger, and she was crying.

police

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

present

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

prettier

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

From this reading Perhaps she was prettier than the others, certainly younger, and she was crying.

rather

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

reached

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

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

riveted

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

scalp

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

seen

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

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

sensations

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

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Perhaps she was prettier than the others, certainly younger, and she was crying.

smashed

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

society

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

straw

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Perhaps she was prettier than the others, certainly younger, and she was crying.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

three

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

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

town

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

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

very

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

VIRTUEnounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/

Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.

From this reading VIRTUE Harold Mellesh, minor clerk in an accident assurance society, having occasion to be present at a certain police court to give evidence in the matter of a smashed car, stood riveted by manifestations of the law entirely new to him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

widely

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had seen four ladies of the town dealt with--three ‘jugged,’ and one fined--before his sensations reached their climax.

wrinkled

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

From this reading His eyes, blue and rather like those of a baby, were opened very widely, his ingenuous forehead wrinkled, his curly hair was moving on his scalp, his fists involuntarily clenching his straw hat.

younger

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

From this reading Perhaps she was prettier than the others, certainly younger, and she was crying.