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Dick and Dolly
Dick and Dolly

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for Dick and Dolly
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.
Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”
Still the caller stood motionless, and Hannah looked at her with some curiosity.
The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:
“My sakes, ma’am! is it dead ye are, or fainted?”
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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.

Dick and Dolly

Chapter XI

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.
Line 2
Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”
Line 3
Still the caller stood motionless, and Hannah looked at her with some curiosity.
Line 4
The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:
Line 5
“My sakes, ma’am! is it dead ye are, or fainted?”

Learner Dictionary

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

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.””

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““My sakes, ma’am! is it dead ye are, or fainted?””

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Still the caller stood motionless, and Hannah looked at her with some curiosity.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.””

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Still the caller stood motionless, and Hannah looked at her with some curiosity.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Still the caller stood motionless, and Hannah looked at her with some curiosity.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.””

All words in this reading · 81

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 Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

apron

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

back

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

caller

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

came

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

cap

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

card

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

curiosity

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

From this reading Still the caller stood motionless, and Hannah looked at her with some curiosity.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “My sakes, ma’am! is it dead ye are, or fainted?”

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

discernible

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

door

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

ELIZA

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

enter

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

fainted

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

From this reading “My sakes, ma’am! is it dead ye are, or fainted?”

features

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

fell

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

FUN

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

gave

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

glance

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

hand

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

Hannah

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

Hannah's

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

held

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

home

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

inclined

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “My sakes, ma’am! is it dead ye are, or fainted?”

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

lace

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

ladies

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

LADY

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Still the caller stood motionless, and Hannah looked at her with some curiosity.

ma'am

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

From this reading “My sakes, ma’am! is it dead ye are, or fainted?”

madam

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

maid

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

motionless

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

From this reading Still the caller stood motionless, and Hannah looked at her with some curiosity.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “My sakes, ma’am! is it dead ye are, or fainted?”

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

once

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

opened

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “My sakes, ma’am! is it dead ye are, or fainted?”

out

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

pale

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

persistently

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

rigid

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

sakes

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

From this reading “My sakes, ma’am! is it dead ye are, or fainted?”

saying

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

scream

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

seem

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

shrouded

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

some

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

From this reading Still the caller stood motionless, and Hannah looked at her with some curiosity.

stepped

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

StillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Still the caller stood motionless, and Hannah looked at her with some curiosity.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Still the caller stood motionless, and Hannah looked at her with some curiosity.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

veil

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

very

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

well-trained

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

From this reading Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home, madam.”

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:

white

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

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading FUN WITH LADY ELIZA Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.

yepronounUS /jiː/

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading “My sakes, ma’am! is it dead ye are, or fainted?”