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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
always
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From this reading Pale always, but deadly white, Mr. Blake saw, in the spectral October gloaming.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
away
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From this reading Help me to get away from here unseen."
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
Blake
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From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
deadly
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From this reading Pale always, but deadly white, Mr. Blake saw, in the spectral October gloaming.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
drooped
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From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Help me to get away from here unseen."
get
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From this reading Help me to get away from here unseen."
gloaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale always, but deadly white, Mr. Blake saw, in the spectral October gloaming.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
heartbroken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
HelpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Help me to get away from here unseen."
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Help me to get away from here unseen."
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
hoarse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
instrument
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Help me to get away from here unseen."
melodious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
move
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From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
NEVERMORE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "QUOTH THE RAVEN, 'NEVERMORE!'"
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
October
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale always, but deadly white, Mr. Blake saw, in the spectral October gloaming.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
Paul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
peculiarly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
powerless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
QUOTH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "QUOTH THE RAVEN, 'NEVERMORE!'"
RAVEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "QUOTH THE RAVEN, 'NEVERMORE!'"
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
spectral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale always, but deadly white, Mr. Blake saw, in the spectral October gloaming.
staring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "QUOTH THE RAVEN, 'NEVERMORE!'"
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
unseen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Help me to get away from here unseen."
Val
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
whisper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale always, but deadly white, Mr. Blake saw, in the spectral October gloaming.
wonder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
Wyndham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Mr. Val Blake stood there, staring at that sight of wonder, neither he nor I ever knew; but while it drooped in a strange, heartbroken way over the instrument, and he stood looking at it, powerless to speak or move, a hand was laid on his shoulder, and looking round he saw the pale face of Paul Wyndham.
Wyndham's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Blake," he said, in a hoarse whisper, that did not sound like Paul Wyndham's peculiarly clear and melodious voice, "if ever you were my friend, be silent now!
