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A Secret of the Sea: A Novel. Vol. 2 (of 3)
A Secret of the Sea: A Novel. Vol. 2 (of 3)

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for A Secret of the Sea: A Novel. Vol. 2 (of 3)
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A SECRET OF THE SEA.
Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.
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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 Secret of the Sea: A Novel. Vol. 2 (of 3)

Chapter VI

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A SECRET OF THE SEA.
Line 2
Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
Line 3
In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
Line 4
Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
Line 5
Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.”

Couple noun US /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading “In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.”

Order noun US /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.”

SECRET noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “A SECRET OF THE SEA.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.”

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 A SECRET OF THE SEA.

Alley

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

Ambrose

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

assented

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

From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

Bellamy's

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

brief

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

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

business

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

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

Byrne

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

came

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

daughter

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

days

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

door

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

From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.

Duren

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

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

Duren's

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

From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.

evening

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

From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

few

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.

Gerald

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

habit

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

hand

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

happened

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

home

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

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

house

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

how

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

latter

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

line

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

matters

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

mentioned

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

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

Miss

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

Murray

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

note

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

notes

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

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

o'clock

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

From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A SECRET OF THE SEA.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

once

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

ordernounUS /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

out

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

progressing

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

proposed

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

satisfy

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

SEA

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

From this reading A SECRET OF THE SEA.

SECRETnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading A SECRET OF THE SEA.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

six

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

From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.

Spur

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A SECRET OF THE SEA.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

town

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

Van

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

From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.

visit

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

Warburton

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.

writing

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

From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.