Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
A Cousin's Conspiracy
A Cousin's Conspiracy

Chapter V

Cover illustration for A Cousin's Conspiracy
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.
Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.
Oak Forks had few attractions for him.
He had a literary taste, but could not get books.
Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Cousin's Conspiracy

Chapter V

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.
Line 2
Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.
Line 3
Oak Forks had few attractions for him.
Line 4
He had a literary taste, but could not get books.
Line 5
Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.

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 “Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.”

Anticipations plural noun US /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃənz/

feelings of excitement about something expected to happen

From this reading “Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.”

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “He had a literary taste, but could not get books.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He had a literary taste, but could not get books.”

Despite preposition US /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading “Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.”

Liberty noun US /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading “BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.”

None pronoun US /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading “Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.”

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “He had a literary taste, but could not get books.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.”

All words in this reading · 76

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 BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

anticipationsplural nounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃənz/

feelings of excitement about something expected to happen

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

attractions

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

From this reading Oak Forks had few attractions for him.

away

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

begin

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading He had a literary taste, but could not get books.

Brant

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

BURNS

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had a literary taste, but could not get books.

cabin

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He had a literary taste, but could not get books.

days

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

DespiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

dozen

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

From this reading Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.

ended

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

Ernest

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

far

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

felt

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

few

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

From this reading Oak Forks had few attractions for him.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

Forks

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

From this reading Oak Forks had few attractions for him.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

friend

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

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

future

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

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

get

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

From this reading He had a literary taste, but could not get books.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

laid

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

lay

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

literary

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

From this reading He had a literary taste, but could not get books.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

natural

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

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

new

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

Oak

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

From this reading Oak Forks had few attractions for him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.

old

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

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.

parting

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

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

Peter

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

read

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

From this reading Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.

RETURNS

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

sadness

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

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

store

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

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading He had a literary taste, but could not get books.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

tree

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

volumes

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

From this reading Peter Brant had about a dozen volumes, none of which he had read himself, but Ernest had read them over and over again.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading BURNS RETURNS When Peter Brant was laid away under a tree not far from the cabin where he had ended his days Ernest felt that he was at liberty to begin the new life that lay before him.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Despite the natural sadness which he felt at parting with his old friend, he looked forward not without pleasant anticipations to the future and what it might have in store for him.