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A Bicycle of Cathay
A Bicycle of Cathay

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for A Bicycle of Cathay
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.
I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.
The Larramies received me with wide-opened eyes and outstretched hands.
They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.
The house was even livelier than when I left it.
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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.

A Bicycle of Cathay

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.
Line 2
I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.
Line 3
The Larramies received me with wide-opened eyes and outstretched hands.
Line 4
They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.
Line 5
The house was even livelier than when I left it.

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 “A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The house was even livelier than when I left it.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “The Larramies received me with wide-opened eyes and outstretched hands.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The house was even livelier than when I left it.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.”

All words in this reading · 95

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 A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

amazed

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

back

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

call

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

came

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

delighted

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

direction

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

end

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The house was even livelier than when I left it.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

expected

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

eyes

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

From this reading The Larramies received me with wide-opened eyes and outstretched hands.

family

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

FORECASTER

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading The Larramies received me with wide-opened eyes and outstretched hands.

happened

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

home

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

house

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

From this reading I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

HUMAN

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

intended

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

invitations

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

Larramies

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

later

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The house was even livelier than when I left it.

like

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

From this reading I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

livelier

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

From this reading The house was even livelier than when I left it.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

matter

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The Larramies received me with wide-opened eyes and outstretched hands.

member

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

minutes

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

moment

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

From this reading I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

outstretched

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

From this reading The Larramies received me with wide-opened eyes and outstretched hands.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

owed

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

From this reading I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

port

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

From this reading I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

PROBABILITIES

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

received

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

From this reading The Larramies received me with wide-opened eyes and outstretched hands.

recollection

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

refuge

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

From this reading I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

school

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

see

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

separate

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

showed

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

sooner

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

ten

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

then

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

there

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading I owed it to them, and at this moment their house seemed like a port of refuge.

three

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

trouble-tossed

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

turn

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

vacation

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

Walford

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were amazed to see me before the end of my vacation, for no member of that family had ever come back from a vacation before it was over; but they showed that they were delighted to have me with them, be it sooner or later than they had expected, and I had not been in the house ten minutes before I received three separate invitations to make that house my home until school began again.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading A FORECASTER OF HUMAN PROBABILITIES I was about to turn in the direction of Walford, but then into my trouble-tossed mind there came the recollection that I had intended, no matter what happened, to call on the Larramies before I went home.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The house was even livelier than when I left it.

wide-opened

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

From this reading The Larramies received me with wide-opened eyes and outstretched hands.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Larramies received me with wide-opened eyes and outstretched hands.