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Friarswood Post Office
Friarswood Post Office

Chapter XI · Better Days for Paul

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Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
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.
Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
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 came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
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.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Friarswood Post Office

Chapter XI · Better Days for Paul

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
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.
Line 2
Her mother did much the same, and Harold used to stumble and gabble, so that it was horrible to hear him.
Line 3
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.
Line 4
Then came the making out the accounts, a matter dreaded by all the family.
Line 5
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.

Learner Dictionary

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

Accounts noun US /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.”

Could modal verb US /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.”

Great noun US /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.”

Hands plural noun US /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.”

Hear noun US /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.”

Herself pronoun US /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.”

Himself pronoun US /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.”

Make noun US /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.”

Never noun US /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.”

Same noun US /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.”

Soon noun US /soon/

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.”

Time noun US /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.”

Took noun US /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.”

Went noun US /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.”

All words in this reading · 109

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

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.

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

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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.

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

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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.