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Second Plays
Second Plays

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Second Plays
Context Illustration Reading 1/81 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.
But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."
Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.
I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.
EMINENT DRAMATIST (kindly) Your book seems to have been well reviewed.
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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.

Second Plays

Chapter I

Reading 1/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.
Line 2
But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."
Line 3
Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.
Line 4
I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.
Line 5
EMINENT DRAMATIST (kindly) Your book seems to have been well reviewed.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “EMINENT DRAMATIST (kindly) Your book seems to have been well reviewed.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “EMINENT DRAMATIST (kindly) Your book seems to have been well reviewed.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.”

Order noun US /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “EMINENT DRAMATIST (kindly) Your book seems to have been well reviewed.”

All words in this reading · 100

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 Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

announced

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

attack

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading EMINENT DRAMATIST (kindly) Your book seems to have been well reviewed.

begin

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

best

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

better

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

book

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

careful

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

certainly

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

collection

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

conversation

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

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

critic

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

critics

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

distasteful

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

dramatic

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

dramatist

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

eminent

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

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

Encouraged

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

FirstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading EMINENT DRAMATIST (kindly) Your book seems to have been well reviewed.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

hope

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

how

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

improved

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

introduce

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

Introduction

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

kindly

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

From this reading EMINENT DRAMATIST (kindly) Your book seems to have been well reviewed.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

manner

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

Milne

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

more

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

Mr

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

much

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

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

now

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

ordernounUS /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

out

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

overdo

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

place

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

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

plays

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

pleasantly

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

possible

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

preface

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

previous

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

publication

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

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

relate

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

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

reviewed

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

From this reading EMINENT DRAMATIST (kindly) Your book seems to have been well reviewed.

reviewer

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

seems

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

From this reading EMINENT DRAMATIST (kindly) Your book seems to have been well reviewed.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

shine

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

shortly

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

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

similar

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

slightly

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

some

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

then

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

tribute

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

trying

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

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

venture

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

very

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

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

well

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

From this reading EMINENT DRAMATIST (kindly) Your book seems to have been well reviewed.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Encouraged by the reviewer who announced that the Introduction to my previous collection of plays was the best part of the book, I venture to introduce this collection in a similar manner.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading I will relate a little conversation which took place, shortly after the publication of "First Plays," between myself and a very much more eminent dramatist.

win

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

From this reading But I shall be careful not to overdo it this time, in the hope that I may win from my critic some such tribute as, "Mr. Milne has certainly improved as a dramatist, in that his plays are now slightly better than his Introduction."

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Since, then, I am trying to make this preface as distasteful as possible, in order that the plays may shine out the more pleasantly, I shall begin (how better?) with an attack on the dramatic critics.

YourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading EMINENT DRAMATIST (kindly) Your book seems to have been well reviewed.