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 If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading One might joke _with_ Mother, but to joke about her, about anything connected with her, was sacrilege.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But after the twins came to live at Brackenhurst, Laura laid a taboo upon it.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heaven, the twins were once and for all to understand, was not in the least like a bald head.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
anxiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading One might joke _with_ Mother, but to joke about her, about anything connected with her, was sacrilege.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But after the twins came to live at Brackenhurst, Laura laid a taboo upon it.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
bald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
BecauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
Bible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
bit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
Brackenhurst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after the twins came to live at Brackenhurst, Laura laid a taboo upon it.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But after the twins came to live at Brackenhurst, Laura laid a taboo upon it.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after the twins came to live at Brackenhurst, Laura laid a taboo upon it.
chocolate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔrəs/
a group singing together
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
connected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One might joke _with_ Mother, but to joke about her, about anything connected with her, was sacrilege.
dazzling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
effect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Heaven, the twins were once and for all to understand, was not in the least like a bald head.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
heaven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading One might joke _with_ Mother, but to joke about her, about anything connected with her, was sacrilege.
hospital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
involuntarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
James
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
Jesus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
join
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
joke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after the twins came to live at Brackenhurst, Laura laid a taboo upon it.
Laura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Heaven, the twins were once and for all to understand, was not in the least like a bald head.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after the twins came to live at Brackenhurst, Laura laid a taboo upon it.
mentioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading One might joke _with_ Mother, but to joke about her, about anything connected with her, was sacrilege.
Mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One might joke _with_ Mother, but to joke about her, about anything connected with her, was sacrilege.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Heaven, the twins were once and for all to understand, was not in the least like a bald head.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heaven, the twins were once and for all to understand, was not in the least like a bald head.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One might joke _with_ Mother, but to joke about her, about anything connected with her, was sacrilege.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
parting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
prayers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
riddle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
sacrilege
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One might joke _with_ Mother, but to joke about her, about anything connected with her, was sacrilege.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
shining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
staying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
taboo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after the twins came to live at Brackenhurst, Laura laid a taboo upon it.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
tumbled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
twins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But after the twins came to live at Brackenhurst, Laura laid a taboo upon it.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Heaven, the twins were once and for all to understand, was not in the least like a bald head.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Heaven, the twins were once and for all to understand, was not in the least like a bald head.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was in the Bible, a very beautiful place, a sort of hospital, and Mother was staying there just now to get well, and if Wilfred or James ever mentioned that riddle again, Laura would tell Jesus about it when she said her prayers, and Jesus would tell Mother, and Mother would not bring them one little bit of chocolate when she came back.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
Wilfred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading One might joke _with_ Mother, but to joke about her, about anything connected with her, was sacrilege.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If you had asked Laura what heaven was like, she would have answered, almost involuntarily—“‘A bald head,’” and Wilfred and James would have tumbled over each other in their anxiety to join in the chorus—“‘Because it is a bright and shining place where there is no parting,’” and to watch the effect upon you of that dazzling joke.
