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Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist

Chapter XI

Chapter XII.

Chapter 11, section 1: TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s ro
Context Illustration Reading 1/48 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.
Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.
Alas!
How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!
The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.
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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.

Oliver Twist

Chapter XI

Reading 1/48 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.
Line 2
Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.
Line 3
Alas!
/əˈlæs/
Line 4
How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!
Line 5
The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

Learner Dictionary

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

treats noun US /triːts/

plural of “treat” — something considered choice to eat

From this reading “TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.”

Collocations
TREATS ONA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
ON AA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 97

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

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

age

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

AlasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading Alas!

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

BEauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

beauty

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

From this reading How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!

bent

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

BUTconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

cares

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

change

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

clear

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

clouds

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

death

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

distorted

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

disturbed

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

face

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

faces

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

From this reading How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!

few

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

From this reading How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

FOUNDnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

gladden

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

From this reading How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!

grotesque

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

hand

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

hearts

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

Heaven's

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

HISTORY

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

hold

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

How

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

From this reading How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!

hungerings

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

IMPORTANCE

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

leave

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

leernounUS /lɪr/

an unpleasant look showing unwanted interest or amusement

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!

limbs

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

lost

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

matron's

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

MAYmodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

messenger

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

more

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

mumbling

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

Nature's

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

off

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

ONEpronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

only

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

palsy

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

pass

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

passions

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

pencil

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

POORnounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

quiet

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

resembled

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

room

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

shaping

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

SHORTadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

sleep

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

some

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

sorrows

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

SUBJECT

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

surface

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

THISdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!

TREATSnounUS /triːts/

plural of “treat” — something considered choice to eat

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

trembled

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

troubled

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

unfit

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty!

VERY

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT, BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron’s room.

wild

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

work

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

From this reading Her body was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature’s hand.

world

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

From this reading The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear.

Chapter Quiz

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Chapter 11?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "Chapter XII....", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Narrator: Chapter XII.
Narrator: There seemed to be a great ruck of men