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The Ladies' Paradise
The Ladies' Paradise

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for The Ladies' Paradise
Context Illustration Reading 1/132 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.
Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.
Denise, however, had not come down with the other young ladies at eight o'clock.
Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.
Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Ladies' Paradise

Chapter XI

Reading 1/132 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.
Line 2
Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.
Line 3
Denise, however, had not come down with the other young ladies at eight o'clock.
Line 4
Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.
Line 5
Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Denise, however, had not come down with the other young ladies at eight o'clock.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

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

From this reading “Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “Denise, however, had not come down with the other young ladies at eight o'clock.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.”

Whilst conjunction US /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading “Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.”

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 Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

admitted

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

all

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

ankle

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

August

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

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

Aurélie

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

better

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

boots

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

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

closed

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Denise, however, had not come down with the other young ladies at eight o'clock.

Confined

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

customer

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

deal

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

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

Denise

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

From this reading Denise, however, had not come down with the other young ladies at eight o'clock.

department

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

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

doors

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

down

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

From this reading Denise, however, had not come down with the other young ladies at eight o'clock.

Early

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

eight

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

From this reading Denise, however, had not come down with the other young ladies at eight o'clock.

employees

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

evening

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

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

finished

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

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

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

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Denise, however, had not come down with the other young ladies at eight o'clock.

hurry

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

indulgently

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

ladies

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

From this reading Denise, however, had not come down with the other young ladies at eight o'clock.

Madame

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

managed

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

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

much

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

now

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

o'clock

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

From this reading Denise, however, had not come down with the other young ladies at eight o'clock.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

other

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

From this reading Denise, however, had not come down with the other young ladies at eight o'clock.

place

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

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

posts

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

previous

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

put

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

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

resolved

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

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

room

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

show

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

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

sprained

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

StillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

stock-taking

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

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

Sunday

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

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

Thursday

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

treated

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

trouble

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

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

up

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

way

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

week-day

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading On the first Sunday in August, the stock-taking, which had to be finished by the evening, took place.

whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

work

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

From this reading Early in the morning all the employees were at their posts, as on a week-day, and the work began with closed doors, not a customer was admitted.

work-rooms

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

From this reading Confined to her room since the previous Thursday through having sprained her ankle whilst on her way up to the work-rooms, she was now much better; but, as Madame Aurélie treated her indulgently, she did not hurry down.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Still after a deal of trouble she managed to put her boots on, having resolved that she would show herself in the department.

young

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

From this reading Denise, however, had not come down with the other young ladies at eight o'clock.