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

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for A Man's Hearth
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.
Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.
Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.
Surprised, she opened the door.
Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.
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 Man's Hearth

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.
Line 2
Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.
Line 3
Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.
Line 4
Surprised, she opened the door.
Line 5
Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.”

Pulled noun US /pulled/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.”

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 “WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Surprised, she opened the door.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.”

All words in this reading · 99

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 WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

absurd

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

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

Adriance

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

ago

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

almost

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

arrived

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

ate

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

automobile's

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

bearing

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

bell

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

BUILT

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

called

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

came

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

caprice

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

chance

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

cheap

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

clang

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

counter

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

day

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

door

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

Down

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

dreams

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

electric

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

Elsie

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

end

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

exultant

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

favored

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

food

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

front

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

furs

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

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

gongs

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

grasping

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

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

handle

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

heard

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

high

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

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

high-pitched

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

hour

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

huge

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

laughter

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

lunch-cart

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

man

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

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

Masterson

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

MorningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

motor

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

motoring

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

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

noon

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

opened

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

From this reading Surprised, she opened the door.

path

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

porch

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

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

pullednounUS /pulled/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

railing

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

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

rearing

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

roll

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

sign

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

small

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

snap

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

snow-powdered

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

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

soft

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

steadied

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

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Before her, on the high, absurd little porch, a man in motoring furs stood and steadied himself by grasping the snow-powdered railing.

straight

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

structure

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

SurprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Surprised, she opened the door.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

tired

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

TONY

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

voices

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

WHATpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading WHAT TONY BUILT By a caprice of chance, it was that day Masterson came; almost at the hour when Adriance, tired and exultant, was rearing a structure of good dreams as he ate his cheap food at the counter of the lunch-cart under the shadow of the huge electric sign bearing his name.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.

women

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

From this reading Down at the end of the straight path she heard laughter and the high-pitched voices of women above the soft roll of an automobile's motor.

years

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

From this reading Morning had arrived at noon, when Elsie was called to her front door by a clang of the bell; one of those small gongs favored years ago, that snap with a pulled handle.