Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Much Darker Days
Much Darker Days

Chapter VII · Rescue And Retire!

Cover illustration for Much Darker Days
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.
My readers will, however, already have guessed that _my_ mother was no common character.
Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.
The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.
Matters, therefore, in her opinion, stood thus:-- Philippa was the victim of a baronet’s wiles.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Much Darker Days

Chapter VII · Rescue And Retire!

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.
Line 2
My readers will, however, already have guessed that _my_ mother was no common character.
Line 3
Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.
Line 4
The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.
Line 5
Matters, therefore, in her opinion, stood thus:-- Philippa was the victim of a baronet’s wiles.

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 “HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.”

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “My readers will, however, already have guessed that _my_ mother was no common character.”

Details noun US /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading “The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “My readers will, however, already have guessed that _my_ mother was no common character.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.”

Readily noun US /readily/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Matters, therefore, in her opinion, stood thus:-- Philippa was the victim of a baronet’s wiles.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “Matters, therefore, in her opinion, stood thus:-- Philippa was the victim of a baronet’s wiles.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

affair

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

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading My readers will, however, already have guessed that _my_ mother was no common character.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

baby

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

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

baronet's

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

From this reading Matters, therefore, in her opinion, stood thus:-- Philippa was the victim of a baronet’s wiles.

better

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

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

character

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

From this reading My readers will, however, already have guessed that _my_ mother was no common character.

common

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

From this reading My readers will, however, already have guessed that _my_ mother was no common character.

consented

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

From this reading Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.

Consider

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

From this reading Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.

convenience

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

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

decease

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

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/

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

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.

guessed

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

From this reading My readers will, however, already have guessed that _my_ mother was no common character.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

HITHERTO

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

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading My readers will, however, already have guessed that _my_ mother was no common character.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

lady

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

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

light

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

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

Matters

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

From this reading Matters, therefore, in her opinion, stood thus:-- Philippa was the victim of a baronet’s wiles.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

moment

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

From this reading Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.

mother

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

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading My readers will, however, already have guessed that _my_ mother was no common character.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

occupy

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

From this reading Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

opinion

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

From this reading Matters, therefore, in her opinion, stood thus:-- Philippa was the victim of a baronet’s wiles.

Philippa

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

From this reading Matters, therefore, in her opinion, stood thus:-- Philippa was the victim of a baronet’s wiles.

position

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

From this reading Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.

readers

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

From this reading My readers will, however, already have guessed that _my_ mother was no common character.

readilynounUS /readily/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.

regarded

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

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

Runan

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

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

said

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

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

seem

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

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

seen

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

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.

Sir

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

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Matters, therefore, in her opinion, stood thus:-- Philippa was the victim of a baronet’s wiles.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

temporary

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

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Matters, therefore, in her opinion, stood thus:-- Philippa was the victim of a baronet’s wiles.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

thus

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

From this reading Matters, therefore, in her opinion, stood thus:-- Philippa was the victim of a baronet’s wiles.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading HITHERTO I have said little about my mother, and I may even seem to have regarded that lady in the light of a temporary convenience.

trifling

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

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

victim

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

From this reading Matters, therefore, in her opinion, stood thus:-- Philippa was the victim of a baronet’s wiles.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading My readers will, however, already have guessed that _my_ mother was no common character.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading The trifling details about the sudden decease of Sir Runan and the affair of the baby, as we have seen, I had thought it better _not_ to name to her.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Consider for a moment the position which she so readily consented to occupy.

wiles

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

From this reading Matters, therefore, in her opinion, stood thus:-- Philippa was the victim of a baronet’s wiles.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading My readers will, however, already have guessed that _my_ mother was no common character.