Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Young Step-Mother
The Young Step-Mother

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for The Young Step-Mother
Context Illustration Reading 1/56 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.
His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.
‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.
And only think, I had not the least notion when I was christened.
I could tell nothing but that Mr. Wenlock was my godfather!
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Young Step-Mother

Chapter XI

Reading 1/56 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.
Line 2
His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.
Line 3
‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.
Line 4
And only think, I had not the least notion when I was christened.
Line 5
I could tell nothing but that Mr. Wenlock was my godfather!

Learner Dictionary

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

Christened noun US /ˈchristened/

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

From this reading “And only think, I had not the least notion when I was christened.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And only think, I had not the least notion when I was christened.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “I could tell nothing but that Mr. Wenlock was my godfather!”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I could tell nothing but that Mr. Wenlock was my godfather!”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And only think, I had not the least notion when I was christened.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.”

All words in this reading · 79

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 The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

autumn

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

begun

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I could tell nothing but that Mr. Wenlock was my godfather!

candidates

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

christenednounUS /ˈchristened/

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

From this reading And only think, I had not the least notion when I was christened.

christening

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

class

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

classes

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

collect

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

Confirmation

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

days

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

down

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

Dusautoy

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

exclaimed

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

few

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

given

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

godfather

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

From this reading I could tell nothing but that Mr. Wenlock was my godfather!

godfathers

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

godmothers

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading And only think, I had not the least notion when I was christened.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

just

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And only think, I had not the least notion when I was christened.

likewise

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

Lucy

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

Lucy's

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

mamma

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

Mr

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

much

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I could tell nothing but that Mr. Wenlock was my godfather!

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And only think, I had not the least notion when I was christened.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading I could tell nothing but that Mr. Wenlock was my godfather!

notice

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

notion

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

From this reading And only think, I had not the least notion when I was christened.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

Oh

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

only

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

From this reading And only think, I had not the least notion when I was christened.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

paper

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

place

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

plan

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

private

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

returning

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

see

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

sent

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

set

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

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

summer

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I could tell nothing but that Mr. Wenlock was my godfather!

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And only think, I had not the least notion when I was christened.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

weekly

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

From this reading His plan was to collect his candidates in weekly classes of a few at a time, and likewise to see as much as he could of them in private.

Wenlock

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

From this reading I could tell nothing but that Mr. Wenlock was my godfather!

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading ‘Oh! mamma!’ exclaimed Lucy, returning from her first class, ‘Mr. Dusautoy has given us each a paper, where we are to set down our christening days, and our godfathers and godmothers.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading The summer had just begun, when notice was given that a Confirmation would take place in the autumn; and Lucy’s name was one of the first sent in to Mr. Dusautoy.