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 When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
attendant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
awaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
becomes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
bedside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She understood, as never before, the singular fascination and as singular repulsion which she had long felt in Elsie's presence.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The old Doctor was beginning to look graver, in spite of himself.
blessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
bravely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
constant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
deeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
the way something is arranged or positioned
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
DoctornounUS /doctor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The old Doctor was beginning to look graver, in spite of himself.
due
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
Elsie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
fascination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood, as never before, the singular fascination and as singular repulsion which she had long felt in Elsie's presence.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood, as never before, the singular fascination and as singular repulsion which she had long felt in Elsie's presence.
fever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
forced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
gently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
girl's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
graver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old Doctor was beginning to look graver, in spite of himself.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She understood, as never before, the singular fascination and as singular repulsion which she had long felt in Elsie's presence.
hardest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
Helen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The old Doctor was beginning to look graver, in spite of himself.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She understood, as never before, the singular fascination and as singular repulsion which she had long felt in Elsie's presence.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
learning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
literally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She understood, as never before, the singular fascination and as singular repulsion which she had long felt in Elsie's presence.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The old Doctor was beginning to look graver, in spite of himself.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She understood, as never before, the singular fascination and as singular repulsion which she had long felt in Elsie's presence.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
nourishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
Old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
performed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
powersnounUS /powers/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood, as never before, the singular fascination and as singular repulsion which she had long felt in Elsie's presence.
repulsion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood, as never before, the singular fascination and as singular repulsion which she had long felt in Elsie's presence.
resistance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She understood, as never before, the singular fascination and as singular repulsion which she had long felt in Elsie's presence.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
sick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
singular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood, as never before, the singular fascination and as singular repulsion which she had long felt in Elsie's presence.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
Sophy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
spite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old Doctor was beginning to look graver, in spite of himself.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
sympathy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
tends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
transform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She understood, as never before, the singular fascination and as singular repulsion which she had long felt in Elsie's presence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
wasting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She understood, as never before, the singular fascination and as singular repulsion which she had long felt in Elsie's presence.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Helen returned to Elsie's bedside, it was with a new and still deeper feeling of sympathy, such as the story told by Old Sophy might well awaken.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had not been without a great effort that she had forced herself to become the almost constant attendant of the sick girl; and now she was learning, but not for the first time, the blessed truth which so many good women have found out for themselves, that the hardest duty bravely performed soon becomes a habit, and tends in due time to transform itself into a pleasure.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fever, if such it was, went gently forward, wasting the young girl's powers of resistance from day to day; yet she showed no disposition to take nourishment, and seemed literally to be living on air.
