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Jessica's First Prayer
Jessica's First Prayer

Chapter V

Cover illustration for Jessica's First Prayer
Context Illustration Reading 1/8 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A NEW WORLD OPENS.
The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.
Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.
But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.
His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.
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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.

Jessica's First Prayer

Chapter V

Reading 1/8 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A NEW WORLD OPENS.
Line 2
The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.
Line 3
Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.
Line 4
But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.
Line 5
His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.”

All words in this reading · 95

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 A NEW WORLD OPENS.

all

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

appeared

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

chair

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

children

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

closed

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

comfortable

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

compassion

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

courage

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

courtesy

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

desolate

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

difficulty

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

From this reading His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.

door

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

From this reading His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.

doorway

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

droop

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

drop

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

eager

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

From this reading His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.

earnest

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

easy

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

eyelids

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

eyes

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

face

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

fastened

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

fire

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

gave

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

gaze

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

gestures

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

From this reading His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.

glow

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

hand

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

heart

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

hiding-place

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

history

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

hymn-book

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

Jessica

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

keen

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

kindled

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

leaving

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

From this reading His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

many

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

mat

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

From this reading His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.

met

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

minister

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

minister's

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

misery

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

NEW

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

From this reading A NEW WORLD OPENS.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

once

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

OPENS

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

From this reading A NEW WORLD OPENS.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

pale

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

pierce

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

pitying

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

ran

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

From this reading His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.

read

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

reverential

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

searching

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

seen

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

siting

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

tenderness

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

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.

thoughtful

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

three

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But before her eyelids could droop, or she could drop a reverential courtesy, the minister’s face kindled with such a glow of pitying tenderness and compassion as fastened her eyes upon him, and gave her new heart and courage.

voices

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

From this reading His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His children ran to him, leaving Jessica upon the mat at the door, and with eager voices and gestures told him the difficulty they were in.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

whole

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The minister was siting in an easy chair before a comfortable fire with a hymn-book in his hand, which he closed as the three children appeared in the open doorway.

WORLD

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

From this reading A NEW WORLD OPENS.

wretchedness

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

From this reading Jessica had seen his pale and thoughtful face many a time from her hiding-place, but she had never met the keen, earnest, searching gaze of his eyes, which seemed to pierce through all her wretchedness and misery, and to read at once the whole history of her desolate life.