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

Chapter III

Cover illustration for A Whaleman's Wife
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.
There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.
But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.
Unfortunately for their hopes, his love had been the pivot of his life.
While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.
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 Whaleman's Wife

Chapter III

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.
Line 2
There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.
Line 3
But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.
Line 4
Unfortunately for their hopes, his love had been the pivot of his life.
Line 5
While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

Learner Dictionary

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

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.”

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.”

Broken noun US /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Unfortunately for their hopes, his love had been the pivot of his life.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.”

SUDDEN noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.”

All words in this reading · 103

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 SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

action

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

air

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

alertness

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

allowed

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

anxious

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

assistance

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

become

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

blow

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

bright

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

brokennounUS /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

business

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

came

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

carriage

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

composedly

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

contrasted

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

day

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

down

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

droop

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

dulness

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

eyes

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

farmer

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

father's

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Unfortunately for their hopes, his love had been the pivot of his life.

forbore

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

glance

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

healthy

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

hobbies

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

hopes

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

From this reading Unfortunately for their hopes, his love had been the pivot of his life.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

interwoven

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

knowledge

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Unfortunately for their hopes, his love had been the pivot of his life.

like

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

listless

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

looks

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

loss

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

love

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

From this reading Unfortunately for their hopes, his love had been the pivot of his life.

man

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

met

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

mother's

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

much

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

painfully

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

parents

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

passion

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

pivot

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

From this reading Unfortunately for their hopes, his love had been the pivot of his life.

Priscilla

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

read

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

rending

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

RESOLVE

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

Rube

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

said

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

say

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

shoulders

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

skin

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

son

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

soon

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

soul

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

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

spirit

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

SUDDENnounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Unfortunately for their hopes, his love had been the pivot of his life.

There

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

trusting

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

Unfortunately

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

From this reading Unfortunately for their hopes, his love had been the pivot of his life.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While a good farmer, a good son, and a good business man, he had no hobbies, he read little, and, being much alone, he had allowed his passion for Priscilla to become so interwoven with his every thought and action that the knowledge of her loss had been like a rending of soul from body.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading A SUDDEN RESOLVE When Rube came down the next morning and composedly met his father’s and mother’s anxious looks, he had the listless air of a man whose spirit had been broken.

wisely

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was a droop in his shoulders, a dulness in his eyes that contrasted painfully with the bright alertness of his glance and carriage of the day before.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

wound

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.

young

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

From this reading But he said nothing of his blow, and his parents wisely forbore to say anything either, trusting that his young and healthy body would come to the assistance of his mind, and that the wound would soon skin over.