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Sisters
Sisters

Chapter XVI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.
But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.
She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.
They hoped she would stay at Five Creeks a long, long time.
"And if only Jim would keep her altogether!" sighed Frances.
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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.

Sisters

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.
Line 2
But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.
Line 3
She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.
Line 4
They hoped she would stay at Five Creeks a long, long time.
Line 5
"And if only Jim would keep her altogether!" sighed Frances.

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 “She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.”

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading “But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

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

From this reading “She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They hoped she would stay at Five Creeks a long, long time.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.”

Reasons noun US /ˈreasons/

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

From this reading “But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They hoped she would stay at Five Creeks a long, long time.”

Worn verb US /wɔːrn/

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading “Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.”

All words in this reading · 109

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 Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

absolutely

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

agreed

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

altogether

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

From this reading "And if only Jim would keep her altogether!" sighed Frances.

always

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

association

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

beg

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

brighter

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

Christmas

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

continually

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

Creeks

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

Deb

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

deep

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

discontent

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

entertain

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

entertained

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

excuse

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

fell

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

Five

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

Frances

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

girls

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

go

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

hoped

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

From this reading They hoped she would stay at Five Creeks a long, long time.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "And if only Jim would keep her altogether!" sighed Frances.

impaired

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

interests

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

invitations

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

Jim

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

From this reading "And if only Jim would keep her altogether!" sighed Frances.

keep

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

From this reading "And if only Jim would keep her altogether!" sighed Frances.

larger

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

less

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They hoped she would stay at Five Creeks a long, long time.

longer

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

maternally

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

more

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

mourning

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

Mrs

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

much

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

Now

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

occupy

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

off

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

old

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

only

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

From this reading "And if only Jim would keep her altogether!" sighed Frances.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

out

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

pined

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

recover

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

refused

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

respect

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

Rose

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

safe

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

Sally's

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

sighed

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From this reading "And if only Jim would keep her altogether!" sighed Frances.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

social

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

solicitous

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From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

spend

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From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

stay

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From this reading They hoped she would stay at Five Creeks a long, long time.

suburban

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

there

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They hoped she would stay at Five Creeks a long, long time.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They hoped she would stay at Five Creeks a long, long time.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

up

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

Urquhart

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

very

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

villadom

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

wish

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

world

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

From this reading She would be absolutely safe up there, and with her old social world about her, and old interests to occupy her mind, would recover that respect for herself which seemed to have been more or less impaired by association with suburban villadom.

wornverbUS /wɔːrn/

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading Now that she could no longer entertain, Deb refused to be entertained, much to the discontent of Frances, who pined continually for a larger and brighter life, so that the invitations fell off to nothing before the excuse of the deep mourning was worn out.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.

wrote

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

From this reading But when Mrs Urquhart, always maternally solicitous for her poor Sally's girls, wrote to beg them to spend Christmas at Five Creeks, Deb and Frances, who did not, for different reasons, wish to go themselves, agreed that it would be 'the very thing' for Rose to do so.