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The Broom-Squire
The Broom-Squire

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for The Broom-Squire
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BIDEABOUT.
The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.
Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.
The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.
"I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.
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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.

The Broom-Squire

Chapter VII

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BIDEABOUT.
Line 2
The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.
Line 3
Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.
Line 4
The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.
Line 5
"I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.”

Conscience noun US /ˈkɑːnʃəns/

the inner sense of right and wrong

From this reading “The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

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

From this reading “Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “"I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “"I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

all

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

any

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

aware

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

BIDEABOUT

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

From this reading BIDEABOUT.

blinds

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

cast

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

cheeks

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

color

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/

the inner sense of right and wrong

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

consideration

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

contracted

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

cramp

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

cut

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

daughter

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

down

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

em

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

end

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

existence

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

expectation

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

face

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

facks

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

girl

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

given

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

glance

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

gone

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

hardly

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

hostess

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

hurt

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

justified

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

kindest

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

landlady

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

made

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

Mehetabel

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

Mrs

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

o

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

out

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

pain

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

pull

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

putting

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

quivering

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

ruthlessly

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

said

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

saw

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

From this reading The hostess cast a glance at Mehetabel, and saw that her face was quivering, that all color had gone out of her cheeks, that her hands were contracted as with the cramp.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

Simon

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

spoken

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

springing

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

started

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

twinge

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

Verstage

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

wi'out

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

wish

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

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

words

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

From this reading The words were hardly spoken before a twinge of conscience made Mrs. Verstage aware that she had given pain to the girl who had been to her as a daughter.

YetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet she justified herself to herself with the consideration that it was in the end kindest to cut down ruthlessly any springing expectation that might have started to life at the words of Simon Verstage.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I had no wish to hurt you," said the landlady; "but facks are facks, and you may pull down the blinds over 'em wi'out putting them out o' existence.