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The Coast of Bohemia
The Coast of Bohemia

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for The Coast of Bohemia
Context Illustration Reading 1/81 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.
She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.
Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."
Charmian's eyes lightened.
"Wait a moment!"
0:00 / 0:00
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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 Coast of Bohemia

Chapter IX

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

Line 1
At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.
Line 2
She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.
Line 3
Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."
Line 4
Charmian's eyes lightened.
Line 5
"Wait a moment!"

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.”

All words in this reading · 80

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 She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

account

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

back

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

chance

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

Charmian

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

Charmian's

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

From this reading Charmian's eyes lightened.

cold

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

coming

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

Cornelia

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

dinner

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

end

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

errand

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

explain

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

eyes

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

From this reading Charmian's eyes lightened.

find

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

gave

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

go

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

got

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

happened

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

home

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

hypocrisy

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

I've

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

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

lightened

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

From this reading Charmian's eyes lightened.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

moment

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

From this reading "Wait a moment!"

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

note

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

own

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

penance

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

pretended

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

really

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

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

reason

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

recognize

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

resolve

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

said

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

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

scarcely

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

see

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

sent

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

staid

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

straight

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

studio

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

true

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

Wait

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

From this reading "Wait a moment!"

want

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

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

way

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading At the end of the afternoon, she pretended that she ought to go and see what had happened to Charmian, and on the way, she had time to recognize her own hypocrisy, and to resolve that she would do penance for it by coming straight at the true reason of her errand.

written

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

From this reading She was sent to Charmian in her studio, and she scarcely gave her a chance to explain that she had staid at home on account of a cold, and had written a note for Cornelia to come to dinner with her, which she would find when she got back.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Cornelia said, "I want to tell you something, Charmian, and I want you to tell me what you really think--whether I've done right, or not."