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The Ways of Life: Two Stories
The Ways of Life: Two Stories

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for The Ways of Life: Two Stories
Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.
That he was very much disturbed about something was evident.
His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.
Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.
Now and then he said to himself audibly, “I must go out to-night.”
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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 Ways of Life: Two Stories

Chapter XI

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.
Line 2
That he was very much disturbed about something was evident.
Line 3
His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.
Line 4
Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.
Line 5
Now and then he said to himself audibly, “I must go out to-night.”

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.”

Added noun US /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Now and then he said to himself audibly, “I must go out to-night.””

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “Now and then he said to himself audibly, “I must go out to-night.””

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading “His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “That he was very much disturbed about something was evident.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.”

Whenever conjunction US /weˈnevər/

at any time that; every time that

From this reading “His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.”

All words in this reading · 120

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 About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

absorbing

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

addednounUS /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

afford

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

all

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

audibly

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

From this reading Now and then he said to himself audibly, “I must go out to-night.”

back

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

brows

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

business

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

calculations

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

calm

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

carefully-arranged

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

condition

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

covered

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

disturbed

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

From this reading That he was very much disturbed about something was evident.

docketed

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

down

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

essential

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

evident

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

From this reading That he was very much disturbed about something was evident.

falling

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

family

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

fix

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

Fred

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

friend

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

go

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

From this reading Now and then he said to himself audibly, “I must go out to-night.”

going

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

got

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading That he was very much disturbed about something was evident.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Now and then he said to himself audibly, “I must go out to-night.”

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

hours

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Now and then he said to himself audibly, “I must go out to-night.”

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

intervals

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

laying

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

letter

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

letters

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

light

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

line

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

man

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

minute

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From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

more

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

Mr

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

much

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

From this reading That he was very much disturbed about something was evident.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Now and then he said to himself audibly, “I must go out to-night.”

Now

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

From this reading Now and then he said to himself audibly, “I must go out to-night.”

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

office

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

other

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

out

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

papers

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

pen

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

pose

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

puckered

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

rather

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

reflections

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

room

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

said

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

From this reading Now and then he said to himself audibly, “I must go out to-night.”

scattered

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

seen

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

several

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

slight

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

some

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading That he was very much disturbed about something was evident.

Sometimes

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

staring

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

starting

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

subject

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

table

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That he was very much disturbed about something was evident.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

then

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

From this reading Now and then he said to himself audibly, “I must go out to-night.”

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

thoughts

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

to-night

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

From this reading Now and then he said to himself audibly, “I must go out to-night.”

unlike

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

up

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

usual

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

variation

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

very

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

view

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

walked

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

Wedderburn

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.

wheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/

at any time that; every time that

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

window

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

From this reading Sometimes he got up and walked about the room, going from one window to the other, and staring out at each as if the slight variation of the view could afford him some light upon the subject over which he puckered his brows.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

wrote

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

From this reading His table was covered with all those carefully-arranged letters and docketed papers which are essential to the pose of a man of business; and by intervals he wrote a letter--or, rather, part of a letter--to which he added a line whenever he could fix his thoughts to it; but these intervals were scattered through the reflections and calculations of several hours, to which Mr. Wedderburn returned, from minute to minute, laying down his pen and falling back into some more absorbing subject of thought.

Yalton

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

From this reading About the time when Fred was starting from Yalton Mr. Wedderburn, the friend of the family, might have been seen in his office in a condition very unlike his usual calm.