51 words to know before reading Five Children and It

1. The meat from a young sheep, used as food.
2. A gentle or innocent person.

they dug, and their hands got sandy and hot and red, and their faces got damp and shiny. The Lamb had tried to eat the sand, and had cried so hard when he found that it was not, as he had

1. Having small natural hollows or indentations, especially on the cheeks or chin.
2. Marked with dimples; formed with slight depressions.

You have not learned to read at all, Yet never a printed book withstands The urgence of your dimpled hands. So, though this book is for yourself, Let mother keep it on the shelf Till you can read. O

1. The reflexive form of "you," referring to the person being addressed.
2. Used to emphasize the subject "you."

a printed book withstands The urgence of your dimpled hands. So, though this book is for yourself, Let mother keep it on the shelf Till you can read. O days that pass, That day will come too

1. An expression of sorrow, regret, or grief (interjection).
2. Unfortunately or sadly (adverb).

mother keep it on the shelf Till you can read. O days that pass, That day will come too soon, alas!

1. A soft, white, porous limestone used for writing or drawing.
2. A stick of chalk used on blackboards or sidewalks.

“Oh, is this it?” But it never was, till they reached the very top of the hill, just past the chalk-quarry and before you come to the gravel-pit. And then there was a white house with a green

1. Small stones or pebbles, often used in construction or landscaping.
2. A rough or harsh sound or manner.

was on the edge of a hill, with a wood behind it—and the chalk-quarry on one side and the gravel-pit on the other. Down at the bottom of the hill was a level plain, with queer-shaped white

1. Happy and cheerful in mood or appearance.
2. (British informal) Very; extremely (e.g., "jolly good").

that was being brought in on a tray by cook, added in heartfelt undertones— “And we’ll take jolly good care we never do see them again.” And they never have.

1. A suit in playing cards marked with black, pointed symbols.
2. A tool with a sharp-edged metal blade used for digging.

used to live on the seashore, and the children used to come with their little flint-spades and flint-pails and make castles for us to live in. That’s thousands of years ago, but I hear

1. A former British gold coin worth one pound and one shilling (21 shillings).
2. A term for the guinea fowl, a bird native to Africa.

II Golden Guineas Anthea woke in the morning from a very real sort of dream, in which she was walking in the

1. Used to emphasize a statement or response.
2. Truly or certainly (often expressing agreement).

Then they stood at bay, with the twelve buns in their hands and their mouths very full indeed. The shocked pastrycook bounded round the corner. “Here,” said Cyril, speaking as distinctly as

1. A fine, soft fiber produced by silkworms, used to make fabric.
2. Fabric or thread made from this fiber.

rather dirty owing to her not having put on gloves before going to the gravel-pit, the black-silk young lady in the shop looked very hard at her, and went and whispered something to an older and

1. A large, disordered pile of things.
2. A great amount or number (informal).

because his fins were a great delicacy and his tail made soup.” “There must have been heaps and heaps of cold meat left over,” said Anthea, who meant to be a good housekeeper some day. “Oh

1. A former British gold coin worth 21 shillings (now obsolete).
2. A term for 21 shillings in pre-decimal British currency.

and photographs of objects of interest in the vicinity. But nobody cared to change a guinea that day in Rochester, and as they went from shop to shop they got dirtier and dirtier, and their

1. A dress, typically worn by women or girls.
2. A loose outer garment, such as a monk's habit.

so. Only it was not a frock, and Martha’s word was law. She wouldn’t let Jane wear her best frock, and she refused to listen for a moment to Robert’s suggestion that Jane should wear her best

1. Traditionally nomadic people of Indo-Aryan origin, also known as Roma or Romani.
2. (Informal) People who live an unconventional or wandering lifestyle.

and let’s see if they can’t get him used to us a bit.” So the Lamb was handed back; but the gipsies crowded so closely that he could not possibly stop howling. Then the man with the red

1. A member of the Romani people, traditionally nomadic.
2. A person who leads a wandering or unconventional lifestyle.

and brown sugar sprinkled on the top. He liked this very much, and consented to let the two gipsy women feed him with it, as he sat on Anthea’s lap. All that long hot afternoon Robert and Cyril

1. Sweet, juicy fruits with smooth skin and a central pit.
2. A deep purple color resembling the fruit.

And he had come out at once, for the lads of the village had taught him in past seasons that plums want looking after. But when he saw the rainbow wings flutter up out of the plum-tree he felt

1. A sweet, juicy fruit with smooth skin and a central pit.
2. A deep purple color resembling the fruit.

as were good for them that they saw a stout man, who looked exactly as though he owned the plum-trees, come hurrying through the orchard gate with a thick stick, and with one accord they

1. A male member of the clergy, such as a priest, minister, or pastor.
2. An ordained religious leader in a Christian church.

nobody will give us any dinner, or even lunch, let alone tea,” said Cyril. “Perhaps the clergyman here might,” suggested Anthea. “He must know all about angels—” “Anybody could see we’re not

1. A tube used to convey liquid upwards from a container by atmospheric pressure and gravity.
2. To draw off or convey through a syphon.

will, and you can easily try it for yourself if you can get a grownup to give you the syphon. If you want to have a really thorough experience, put the tube in your mouth and press the

1. Loud, prolonged cries made by animals like wolves or dogs.
2. Similar sounds made by humans, often expressing pain or emotion.

It’ll be all right, somehow. Don’t, don’t—” “Let her cry,” said Robert desperately; “if she howls loud enough, someone may hear and come and let us out.” “And see the soda-water thing,” said

1. A female domestic servant who cleans and maintains a household.
2. A young unmarried woman (archaic or poetic).

husband and screamed a feeble echo of it. “You shan’t go!” she said, “not alone. Jessie!”—the maid unfainted and came out of the kitchen—“send Andrew at once. There’s a dangerous lunatic in the

1. The residence of a vicar, typically provided by the church.
2. The official house or dwelling associated with a vicar's position.

because just then the syphon began to slip again. So they were all marched into the Vicarage study, and the Vicar’s wife came rushing in. “Oh, William, are you safe?” she cried. Robert

1. A priest in the Anglican Church responsible for a parish.
2. A representative or deputy acting on behalf of someone else.

it’s the lunatic who stole the tongue.” The children had seen the flash of light when the Vicar opened his front door. They had seen his dark form on his doorstep, and they had paused for

1. A portable light source with a protective case, often with a handle.
2. A decorative or architectural structure with openings to emit light.

not the truth.” “It’s near enough, sir, for the likes of them.” So Andrew fetched the lantern and the cook’s cousin; and the Vicar’s wife begged them all to be very careful. They went across

1. Used as a reflexive pronoun to refer to a group previously mentioned.
2. Used for emphasis to refer to a group previously mentioned.

for them in Rochester. And so, after one day of boundless wealth, the children found themselves sent to bed in deep disgrace, and only enriched by two pairs of cotton gloves, dirty inside

1. (archaic) You (singular), used as the object of a verb or preposition.
2. (poetic) A form of 'you' in older or religious texts.

he wants to cut off quietly—I mean to depart without violence.” “This to my face! Beshrew thee for a knave!” replied Sir Wulfric. But the appeal seemed to have gone home. “Yet thou sayest

1. Belonging to you (archaic or poetic form of "your").
2. Short for "thyroid" in medical contexts (informal).

“scathe” was, and if it was nastier than the senna-tea which he had to take sometimes. “Unfold thy tale without alarm,” said the leader kindly. “Whence comest thou, and what is thine intent?” “My

1. A historical breed of large white hunting dog, now extinct.
2. A type of hound used in medieval times for tracking game.

strength to the besieging party,” said the gallant leader; “but know thou that Wulfric de Talbot needs no enchanter’s aid to lead his followers to victory.” “No, I’m sure you don’t,” said

1. A person who casts spells or performs magic.
2. Someone who captivates or charms others.

“Oh yes—of might and main. Rather!” “And thou deemest that it is the spells of the enchanter whom thou hast angered that have lent strength to the besieging party,” said the gallant leader;

1. Small, soft baked bread rolls, often served with meals (UK).
2. Sweet, crisp baked goods similar to cookies (US).

And some biscuits with caraways in.” The sponge-cakes were both soft and dry and the biscuits were dry too, and yet soft, which biscuits ought not to be. But the ginger-beer made up for

1. The meat of a mature sheep, used as food.
2. (Informal) A term for a dull or stupid person.

waited in wretched silence while Martha went through the form of carving an unseen leg of mutton and serving invisible greens and potatoes with a spoon that no one could see. When she had left

1. A deep, wide ditch filled with water, typically surrounding a castle or fort for defense.
2. A protective barrier or advantage that prevents competition in business or finance.

and looking through it they saw that the drawbridge was up and the portcullis down; the moat looked very wide and deep. Opposite the great door that led to the moat was another great door,

1. A group of troops stationed in a fortress or town to defend it.
2. The building or area where such troops are stationed.

handfuls of air, which turned to biscuit as Martha crammed it into their pockets, the garrison was well provisioned till sundown. They brought up some iron pots of cold water to pour on the

1. A short haircut, typically for women.
2. A type of fishing float.

said Cyril, still wringing the water out of the tails of his jacket, “I’ll call it pax if Bobs will.” “Pax then,” said Robert sulkily. “But I’ve got a lump as big as a cricket ball over my

1. A small, agile rodent with a bushy tail, often climbing trees.
2. To hide or store something for future use (verb).

That’s so likely, isn’t it?” said Cyril, seizing a spade. “Oh, don’t!” said Anthea. “Squirrel, don’t. I—it sounds silly, but it said something. It really and truly did—” “What?” “It said,

1. Outlaws who rob or attack others, often in groups.
2. Armed criminals operating in remote or lawless areas.

of, are waiting for you round the corner. The game was dragging a little, and some of the bandits were beginning to feel that the others were disagreeable things, and were saying so candidly,

1. A former British currency unit, equal to 1/20 of a pound or 12 pence.
2. The basic monetary unit of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Somalia.

“biggest draw you ever, so help me!” and he began to share Robert’s feeling that fifteen shillings was indeed far too little. Bill slouched up to the tent and entered. When he beheld the

1. Done quickly or hurriedly, often without care.
2. Acting with excessive speed or urgency.

Psammead. And they could not find it in the dictionary either, though they looked. Then Jane hastily finished her letter— “We found a strange thing, but it is nearly post-time, so no more at

1. A small, non-vascular plant that grows in dense clumps in damp or shady locations.
2. A green or brown plant that forms soft carpets on surfaces like rocks, trees, or soil.

up! Their own Lamb! It was a terrible moment. The grown-up Lamb moved gracefully across the moss and settled himself against the trunk of the sweet chestnut. He tilted the straw hat over his

1. A strip of hair grown above the upper lip.
2. Facial hair between the nose and mouth, often styled.

young man in flannels and a straw hat—a young man who wore the same little black moustache which just before they had actually seen growing upon the Baby’s lip. This, then, was the

1. A bucket, typically made of metal or plastic, used for carrying liquids or solids.
2. The quantity held by a pail.

of it was soon evident. “I suppose there’s a cottage somewhere near—where one could get a pail of water?” said the Lamb. There was; and when the number of punctures had been made manifest, it

1. The reflexive form of "you," used when the subject and object are the same.
2. Emphasizes the identity or role of the people addressed.

a saving mind. “Change!” said the man, “I’ll change you! Hout you goes; and you may think yourselves lucky I don’t send for the police to find out where you got it!” In the Castle Gardens the

1. The act of removing the scalp from a person's head, often as a trophy or sign of victory.
2. The practice of reselling tickets or goods at a higher price for profit.

‘I wish there were Red Indians in England,’—and now there are, and they’re going about scalping people all over the country, as likely as not.” “Perhaps they’re only in Northumberland and

1. Past tense of 'scalp', meaning to remove the scalp from someone's head.
2. Sold tickets or goods at a higher price than face value.

at a slow fire.” “But would they come right at sunset?” “Of course. You can’t be really scalped or burned to death without noticing it, and you’d be sure to notice it next day, even if it

1. A deep container for holding liquids, typically with a handle and spout.
2. (Slang) A prison or jail.

she followed her sister meekly into their mother’s bedroom. Anthea lifted down the heavy water-jug—it had a pattern of storks and long grasses on it, which Anthea never forgot. She carried it

1. A familiar term for one's grandmother.
2. An elderly woman, often used affectionately.

Father had to go away suddenly on business, and mother had gone away to stay with Granny, who was not very well. They both went in a great hurry, and when they were gone the house seemed

1. People who illegally enter buildings to commit theft or other crimes.
2. Those who break into homes or properties with intent to steal.

their beds?” “Well—not exactly,” said Martha; “but they might just as well. There’s been burglars over at Peasemarsh Place—Beale’s just told me—and they’ve took every single one of Lady

1. A piece of jewelry worn around the neck.
2. A decorative chain or string of beads, gems, or other materials.

the dressing-table drawer and found a long case containing an almost priceless diamond necklace, she was more interested still, though not so pleased. In the wardrobe, when she went to put away

1. A type of hat tied under the chin, typically worn by women and children.
2. The hinged metal cover over the engine of a motor vehicle (British English).

more interested still, though not so pleased. In the wardrobe, when she went to put away her “bonnet,” she found a tiara and several brooches, and the rest of the jewellery turned up in various

1. A preserved dead body, especially from ancient Egypt.
2. (Informal) A term of endearment for one's mother, chiefly British.

dear; he is, truly and honourably, and as honest as the day. Don’t let the police take him, mummy! oh, don’t, don’t, don’t!” It was truly awful. Here was an innocent man accused of robbery