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Miss Mackenzie
Miss Mackenzie

Chapter XXIV

Cover illustration for Miss Mackenzie
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.
He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.
He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.
He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.
Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?
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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.

Miss Mackenzie

Chapter XXIV

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.
Line 2
He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.
Line 3
He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.
Line 4
He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.
Line 5
Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

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 “He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

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

From this reading “He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?”

All words in this reading · 102

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 He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

all

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

also

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

ascertained

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

Ball

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

Ball's

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

From this reading He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

case

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

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

certainly

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

claimed

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

claiming

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

Colza

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

compelled

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

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

deal

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

December

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

deed

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

doing

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

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

engaged

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

executed

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

execution

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

facts

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

felt

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

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

further

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

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

idle

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

indeed

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

inquiry

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

John

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

Jonathan

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

From this reading He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.

knows

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

Lady

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

Lamb

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

learned

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

Lion

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

lips

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

LittlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

Mackenzie

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

Mackenzie's

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

From this reading He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.

Maguire

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

man

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

marry

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

means

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

Miss

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

months

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

most

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

Mr

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

November

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

now

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

October

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

own

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

penniless

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

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

pertinacious

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

presence

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

previous

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

property

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

quell

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

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

reader

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

said

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

seen

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

From this reading He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

some

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

Story

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

three

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

thus

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

Walter

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

From this reading He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.

want

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

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The Little Story of the Lion and the Lamb During those three months of October, November, and December, Mr Maguire was certainly not idle.

way

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

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He had, by means of pertinacious inquiry, learned a good deal about Miss Mackenzie; indeed, he had learned most of the facts which the reader knows, though not quite all of them.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He had ascertained, through Miss Colza, that John Ball now claimed the property by some deed said to have been executed by Jonathan Ball previous to the execution of his will; and he had also learned, from Miss Mackenzie's own lips, in Lady Ball's presence, that she had engaged herself to marry the man who was thus claiming her property.

Why

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

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading He had seen Jonathan Ball's will, and he had seen Walter Mackenzie's will.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Why should Mr Ball want to marry her,--who would in such a case be penniless,--but that he felt himself compelled in that way to quell all further inquiry into the thing that he was doing?