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A Crystal Age
A Crystal Age

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for A Crystal Age
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.
"Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.
"And why do you look so sad?"
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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 Crystal Age

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.
Line 2
After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.
Line 3
Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.
Line 4
"Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.
Line 5
"And why do you look so sad?"

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"And why do you look so sad?"”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.”

All words in this reading · 74

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 After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

all

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

anxious

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

approached

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

audible

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

avoid

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

away

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

awhile

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

became

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

building

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

came

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

From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.

corner

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

devoted

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.

disturbing

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "And why do you look so sad?"

down

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

dusky

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

enter

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

From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.

far

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

floating

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

knew

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

listening

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "And why do you look so sad?"

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.

music

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

night-air

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

out

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

portico

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

present

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

presently

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

From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.

sad

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

From this reading "And why do you look so sad?"

said

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

From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.

sat

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

seen

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

From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.

singers

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

Smith

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

From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

soft

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

spirit

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

stole

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

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

strains

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

supper

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

From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.

sweet

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading After listening for awhile in the shadow of the portico I went in, and, anxious to avoid disturbing the singers, stole away into a dusky corner, where I sat down by myself.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

Why

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

From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading As I approached the building, soft strains floating far out into the night-air became audible, and I knew that the sweet spirit of music, to which they were all so devoted, was present with them.

Yoletta

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

From this reading Yoletta had, however, seen me enter, for presently she came to me.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Why did you not come in to supper, Smith?" she said.