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Ester Ried
Ester Ried

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for Ester Ried
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE POOR LITTLE FISH.
"Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"
Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"
"Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."
This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"
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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.

Ester Ried

Chapter IV

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE POOR LITTLE FISH.
Line 2
"Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"
Line 3
Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"
Line 4
"Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."
Line 5
This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

Learner Dictionary

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

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading “"Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."”

Answered noun US /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading “Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “"Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."”

LITTLE noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE POOR LITTLE FISH.”

Maiden noun, literary US /ˈmeɪdən/

a young woman who is not married

From this reading “This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “"Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “"Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"”

POOR noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE POOR LITTLE FISH.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"”

All words in this reading · 83

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 This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

answer

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

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

answerednounUS /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

appearing

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

asking

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

batch

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

bread

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

caught

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

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

dining-room

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

dough

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

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

eyes

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

fell

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

fire

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

FISH

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

From this reading THE POOR LITTLE FISH.

fixed

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

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

forlorn

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

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

frying-pan

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

glimpse

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

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

hand

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

history

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

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

holding

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

I've

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

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

inspection

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

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

Julia

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

LITTLEnounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE POOR LITTLE FISH.

maidennoun, literaryUS /ˈmeɪdən/

a young woman who is not married

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

mischief

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

molding

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

Mother

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

Mrs

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

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

now

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

O

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

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

only

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

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

out

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

patience

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

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

POORnounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE POOR LITTLE FISH.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

renowned

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

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

Ried's

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

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

Sadie

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

said

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

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

soon

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

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE POOR LITTLE FISH.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

turning

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

up

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading This answer brought Mrs. Ried's eyes around from the dough, and fixed them upon Julia; and she said, as soon as she caught a glimpse of the forlorn little maiden: "O, my _patience_!"

very

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

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

WhichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

Why

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

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Which question her mother answered by asking, without turning her eyes from the great batch of bread which she was molding: "What mischief are you up to now, Sadie?"

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Mother," said Sadie, appearing in the dining-room one morning, holding Julia by the hand, "did you ever hear of the fish who fell out of the frying-pan into the fire?"

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Why, nothing," said Sadie; "only here is the very fish so renowned in ancient history, and I've brought her for your inspection."