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Within the Precincts
Within the Precincts

Chapter XXXVIII

Cover illustration for Within the Precincts
Context Illustration Reading 1/116 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
--“TILL FRIDAY.”
Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”
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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.

Within the Precincts

Chapter XXXVIII

Reading 1/116 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
--“TILL FRIDAY.”
Line 2
Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.
Line 3
He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.
Line 4
He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.
Line 5
Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.”

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading “He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.”

Fortune noun US /ˈfortune/

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

From this reading “Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.””

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.”

Gentleman noun US /ˈgentleman/

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

From this reading “Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.””

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.””

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

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

From this reading “Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.””

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.””

TILL preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “--“TILL FRIDAY.””

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.””

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.””

All words in this reading · 91

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 He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.

Abbey

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

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

anxiety

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

best

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

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

bit

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

From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.

bosom

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

brushed

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

button-hole

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

From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

called

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

card-case

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

care

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

chance

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

cheerful

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

From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.

coat

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

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

damp

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

From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.

departure

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

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

Despard

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

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

equipped

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

expand

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

felt

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

finished

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

forth

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

FRIDAY

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

From this reading --“TILL FRIDAY.”

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

geranium

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

From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.

getting

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

gloom

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

From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.

hat

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

house

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.

investigation

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.

looking

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

mission

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

more

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

much

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

out

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

papers

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

Polly

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

pride

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

put

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

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

reasonable

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

red

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

From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.

return

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

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

Rollo's

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

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

set

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

shabby

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

solemn

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

succeed

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

swell

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Captain Despard put on his best coat after his return from the Abbey on the morning of Rollo’s departure.

then

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

there

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

thus

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

TILLprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading --“TILL FRIDAY.”

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

usual

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

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

well

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He had a bit of red geranium in his button-hole which looked cheerful against the damp and gloom of the morning.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He brushed his hat with more than his usual care; he found, after much investigation, among what he called his papers, an ancient and shabby card-case: and thus equipped set forth on his solemn mission.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Polly, looking out after him, thought her Captain a finished gentleman, and felt a swell of pride expand her bosom--of pride and of anxiety as well--for if, by good fortune, the Captain should succeed in his mission, then Polly felt that there would be a reasonable chance of getting “her house to herself.”