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Jennie Gerhardt: A Novel
Jennie Gerhardt: A Novel

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Jennie Gerhardt: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/70 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AUTHOR OF “SISTER CARRIE”, etc.
One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.
She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.
Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.
Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Jennie Gerhardt: A Novel

Chapter I

Reading 1/70 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AUTHOR OF “SISTER CARRIE”, etc.
Line 2
One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.
Line 3
She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.
Line 4
Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.
Line 5
Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.”

Distress noun US /dɪˈstrɛs/

extreme sadness or suffering

From this reading “Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.”

Stand noun US /stand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.”

All words in this reading · 91

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1880

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

accompanied

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

Any

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

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

AUTHOR

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “SISTER CARRIE”, etc.

away

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

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

back

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

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

build

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

From this reading She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

CARRIE

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “SISTER CARRIE”, etc.

caused

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

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

clerk's

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

Columbus

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

countenance

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

From this reading She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.

countenances

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

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

daughter

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

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

desk

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

diffident

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

From this reading She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.

distraught

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

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

distressnounUS /dɪˈstrɛs/

extreme sadness or suffering

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

dwelt

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

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

eighteen

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

etc

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “SISTER CARRIE”, etc.

eyes

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

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

fall

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

fleshy

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

From this reading She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.

frank

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

From this reading She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.

girl

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

got

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

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

helpless

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

From this reading She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.

HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

hotel

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

indifferently

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

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

innocent

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

From this reading She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.

inquiry

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

large

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

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

made

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

manner

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

From this reading She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.

middle-aged

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

now

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

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF “SISTER CARRIE”, etc.

Ohio

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

only

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

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.

patient

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

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

place

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

presented

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

principal

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

see

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

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

shamefacedness

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

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

SISTER

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF “SISTER CARRIE”, etc.

stand

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

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

sympathetically

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

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

there

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

timidity

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

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Any one could see where the daughter behind her got the timidity and shamefacedness which now caused her to stand back and look indifferently away.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Her eyes were large and patient, and in them dwelt such a shadow of distress as only those who have looked sympathetically into the countenances of the distraught and helpless poor know anything about.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She was of a helpless, fleshy build, with a frank, open countenance and an innocent, diffident manner.

woman

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.

young

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

From this reading One morning, in the fall of 1880, a middle-aged woman, accompanied by a young girl of eighteen, presented herself at the clerk’s desk of the principal hotel in Columbus, Ohio, and made inquiry as to whether there was anything about the place that she could do.