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The Three Clerks
The Three Clerks

Chapter XIV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE HONOURABLE MRS.
VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.
At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.
Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.
She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Three Clerks

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE HONOURABLE MRS.
Line 2
VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.
Line 3
At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.
Line 4
Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.
Line 5
She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

Learner Dictionary

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

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

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

From this reading “She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

acquaintances

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

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

adding

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

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

all

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

always

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

babies

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

baby

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

bosoms

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

bringing

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

came

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

delight

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

disappoint

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

due

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

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

eighteen

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

entering

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

gaiety

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

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

Gertrude's

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

give

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

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

GOLIGHTLY

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

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

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

honeymoon

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

HONOURABLE

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

From this reading THE HONOURABLE MRS.

husband

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

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

husband's

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

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

inattentive

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

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

like

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

London

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

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

lord

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

love

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

made

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

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

married

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

metropolis

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

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

MISS

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

modest

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

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

months

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

MRS

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

From this reading THE HONOURABLE MRS.

much

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

persons

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

realities

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

receive

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

renewal

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

second

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

services

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

settled

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

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

society

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

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

sort

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

sufficient

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

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE HONOURABLE MRS.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

Then

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

unhappy

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

VAL

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading At first her husband's society was sufficient for her; and to give him his due, he was not at first an inattentive husband.

way

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

From this reading She had of course made acquaintances since she had settled herself in London, and had, in her modest way, done her little part in adding to the gaiety of the great metropolis.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

women

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

From this reading Then came the baby, bringing with him, as first babies always should do, a sort of second honeymoon of love, and a renewal of those services which women so delight to receive from their bosoms' lord.

world

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

From this reading VAL AND MISS GOLIGHTLY The first eighteen months of Gertrude's married life were not unhappy, though, like all persons entering on the realities of the world, she found much to disappoint her.