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A Young Man's Year
A Young Man's Year

Chapter XIX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.
Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
But there was a difficulty, a hitch.
The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
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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 Young Man's Year

Chapter XIX

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
Line 2
The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.
Line 3
Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
Line 4
But there was a difficulty, a hitch.
Line 5
The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

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 “Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.”

LAST noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 But there was a difficulty, a hitch.

act

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

arrival

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

Arthur's

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

authority

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But there was a difficulty, a hitch.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

company

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

From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.

concerned

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

declared

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

described

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

difficulty

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

From this reading But there was a difficulty, a hitch.

emotions

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

engaged

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

From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.

ENTRENCHMENT

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

Etheringham

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

excellent

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

From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.

farce

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

From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

foreign

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

Friday

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.

Halliday

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

From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.

Hilsey

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

hitch

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

From this reading But there was a difficulty, a hitch.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

invaded

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

isolated

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

Joe

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

From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.

knew

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

Langley

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

LASTnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

letters

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

line

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

man

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

matters

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

Mr

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

needed

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

opened

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

From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.

optimism

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

From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

praise

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

From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.

problems

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

producer

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

prospects

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

From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.

remote

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

seclusion

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

self-contained

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

stay

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

strengthen

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

strengthening

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

there

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

From this reading But there was a difficulty, a hitch.

thus

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

treated

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

From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.

two

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

usual

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

From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.

wrote

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

From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.