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AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
afterwards
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From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
all
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From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
attentive
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From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
attentively
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From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
Bryan
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From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
character
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From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
conversation
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From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
day
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From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
detail
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From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
earnest
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From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
Emma
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From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
evinced
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From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
experiences
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From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
going
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From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
indication
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From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
indifferent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
life's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
made
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From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
man
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From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'You will promise me, Bryan,' my mother said.
met
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From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
midst
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From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
mood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
persons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You will promise me, Bryan,' my mother said.
reasonably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
reference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'I will promise nothing, Emma,' he replied; 'I made a promise once in my life, and I received a promise in return.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You will promise me, Bryan,' my mother said.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
smallest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
stirred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
thoroughly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
uncle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
utterly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading My mother was in a very earnest mood, but uncle Bryan, except that he listened attentively to what she was saying, seemed in no way stirred.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A day or two afterwards I surprised my mother and uncle Bryan in the midst of a conversation which I supposed had reference to myself.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all my life's experiences I never met or heard of a man who was more thoroughly attentive to every little detail that passed around him than was uncle Bryan; but although he gave his whole mind to the smallest matter for the time being, he evinced no indication of it, and persons who did not understand his character might reasonably have supposed him to be utterly indifferent to what was going on.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading 'You will promise me, Bryan,' my mother said.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'You will promise me, Bryan,' my mother said.
