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 A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
all
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From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
also
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From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
baker's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
Baltimore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
basement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
block
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From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.
brief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
C
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
chanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
Chester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
energy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
entire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
facing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.
forehanded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
Friday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
grown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
hated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.
holiday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
housekeeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
locally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
marble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
meanwhilenounUS /ˈmeanwhile/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
neighbors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
paused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.
pernickity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
polished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
POSTAL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
postman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
respectable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.
Saturday's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
Saturdays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
scrubbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
singing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
sooner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
stare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
SUBSTITUTE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, when the postman came round the corner of the block, she paused in her singing to stare at him for one brief instant.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
vigorously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
week-end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
wishes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The task was known locally as "doing her front," and if one wishes to be considerable respectable, in Baltimore, one's "front" must be done every day.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now this was Friday and chanced to be a school holiday; so Dorothy had been set to the week-end task, which she hated; and therefore she put all the more energy into it, the sooner to have done with it, meanwhile singing at the top of her voice.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On Saturdays the entire marble facing of the basement must also be polished; but "pernickity" Mrs. Chester was known to her neighbors as such a forehanded housekeeper that she had her Saturday's work done on Friday, if this were possible.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A POSTAL SUBSTITUTE So long a time had passed that Dorothy C. had grown to be what father John called "a baker's dozen of years old"; and upon another spring morning, as fair as that when she first came to them, the girl was out upon the marble steps, scrubbing away most vigorously.
