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The Small House at Allington
The Small House at Allington

Chapter IV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/113 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BEAUTIFUL DAYS.
I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.
I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.
They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.
They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.
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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 Small House at Allington

Chapter IV

Reading 1/113 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BEAUTIFUL DAYS.
Line 2
I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.
Line 3
I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.
Line 4
They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.
Line 5
They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.”

Equally noun US /ˈequally/

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

From this reading “I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.”

Whereas conjunction US /weˈræz/

in contrast with the fact that

From this reading “I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

able

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

all

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

From this reading They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.

almost

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

any

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

attractive

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

aware

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

BEAUTIFUL

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

From this reading BEAUTIFUL DAYS.

becomes

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.

Bell

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

Dale

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

DAYS

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

From this reading BEAUTIFUL DAYS.

description

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

difficulty

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

distinct

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

doing

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

draw

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

equallynounUS /ˈequally/

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

eye

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

fair-haired

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

fear

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

girls

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

given

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

greater

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

height

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

From this reading They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

like

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

Lilian

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

Lily

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

longer

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

manner

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

mind's

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

more

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

other

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

others

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

perhaps

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

portrait

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

postponed

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

prettiest

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

pretty

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

proportions

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

From this reading They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

sister

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

slender

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

From this reading They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.

slight

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

From this reading They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

tallest

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

two

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

understood

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

usual

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

From this reading They were something below the usual height, being slight and slender in all their proportions.

very

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

well

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

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

whereasconjunctionUS /weˈræz/

in contrast with the fact that

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading They were fair-haired girls, very like each other, of whom I have before my mind's eye a distinct portrait, which I fear I shall not be able to draw in any such manner as will make it distinct to others.

wish

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

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I wish it could be understood without any description that they were two pretty, fair-haired girls, of whom Bell was the tallest and the prettiest, whereas Lily was almost as pretty as her sister, and perhaps was more attractive.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading I am well aware that I have not as yet given any description of Bell and Lilian Dale, and equally well aware that the longer the doing so is postponed the greater the difficulty becomes.