![Some Short Stories [by Henry James]](/static/images/covers-gen/some-short-stories-by-henry-james.academy.webp)
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XII
"Oh yes, she said you were engaged to her. That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to. But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt. "Assuredly--if she says so. It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.”
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.”
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading “It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.”
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.”
not one thing; not anything
From this reading “It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.”
from a time in the past until now
From this reading “That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.”
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading “It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.”
but in spite of that
From this reading “It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Assuredly--if she says so.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
the past participle of “be”
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh yes, she said you were engaged to her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Oh yes, she said you were engaged to her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh yes, she said you were engaged to her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh yes, she said you were engaged to her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Assuredly--if she says so.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Oh yes, she said you were engaged to her.
from a time in the past until now
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But AREN'T you?" the good lady asked as if she saw in his face some ground for doubt.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Oh yes, she said you were engaged to her.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Oh yes, she said you were engaged to her.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was why--since I HAD broken out--she thought I might like to see you; as I assure you I've been so delighted to.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh yes, she said you were engaged to her.
but in spite of that
From this reading It may seem very odd to you, but I haven't known, and yet I've felt that, being nothing whatever to you directly, I need some warrant for consenting thus to be thrust on you.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Oh yes, she said you were engaged to her.
