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 Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
accountsnounUS /ˈaccounts/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
Alfred
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From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
Alfred's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
bee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
bottle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
clean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
constant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
dots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
dreaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
enjoyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
enormous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
gabble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
Harold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
horrible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
infinitely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
King
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
mumbling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
Paul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
Paul's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
pencil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
prize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
reckoning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
Selby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
spare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
stumble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
sums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
supply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
thumb-nail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
tired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
treat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Paul's reading was a great prize to Alfred, for he soon grew tired himself; his sister could not spare time to read to him, and if she did, she went mumbling on like a bee in a bottle.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such reading as Paul's was a new light to them all, and was a treat to Ellen as she worked as much as to Alfred; and Paul, with hands as clean as Alfred's, was only too happy to get hold of a book, and infinitely enjoyed the constant supply kept up by Miss Selby, to make up for her not coming herself.
wrong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ellen and Alfred both used to do the sums; but as they never made them the same, Mrs. King always went by some reckoning of her own by pencil dots on her thumb-nail, which took an enormous time, but never went wrong.