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Mrs. Arthur
Mrs. Arthur

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for Mrs. Arthur
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.
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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.

Mrs. Arthur

Chapter VII

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.
Line 2
He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.
Line 3
He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.
Line 4
They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.
Line 5
Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

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 “Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.”

Couple noun US /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading “They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.”

Details noun US /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading “Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.”

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading “He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.”

Distress noun US /dɪˈstrɛs/

extreme sadness or suffering

From this reading “He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.”

All words in this reading · 88

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 Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

alarm

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

all

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

also

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

anticipation

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

appalled

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

Arthur

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

away

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

From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.

Bates

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

bride

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

came

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

From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.

coming

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.

distressnounUS /dɪˈstrɛs/

extreme sadness or suffering

From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.

Durant

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

From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.

family

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

felt

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

From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.

frightening

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

frivolous

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

how

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

idea

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

Jane

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

live

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

marriage

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

Matilda

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

more

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

morning's

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

From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.

Mrs

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

much

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

Nancy's

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

natural

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

naturally

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

other

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

people

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

perhaps

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

perplexity

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

From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.

possible

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

proud

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

Sarah

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

selfish

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

sensible

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

slurred

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

stages

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

From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.

striking

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

succeeded

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

throw

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

vaguely

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Arthur had, which, perhaps, was also natural, told them as little as possible about his family; he had slurred vaguely over all details of how he and his bride were to live.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading He left them in different stages of perplexity and distress when he came away.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He had succeeded in frightening Mrs. Bates, and striking with alarm the sensible mind of Matilda, and the frivolous one of Sarah Jane.

work

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

From this reading Durant felt that he had done a good morning’s work.

worse

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.

young

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

From this reading They were not more selfish than other people; but the idea of Nancy’s marriage, which they had been so proud of in anticipation, coming to nothing, or coming to so much worse than nothing as to throw the “young couple” on their hands, naturally appalled them.