Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
An Amiable Charlatan
An Amiable Charlatan

Chapter XI · Mr. Bundercombe's Wink

Cover illustration for An Amiable Charlatan
Context Illustration Reading 1/115 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.
At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.
His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.
"May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.
I hesitated for a moment.
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.

An Amiable Charlatan

Chapter XI · Mr. Bundercombe's Wink

Reading 1/115 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.
Line 2
At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.
Line 3
His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.
Line 4
"May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.
Line 5
I hesitated for a moment.

Learner Dictionary

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

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.”

Courtyard noun US /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading “I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “"May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.”

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “"May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “"May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

accosted

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

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

almost

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

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

altogether

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

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

bath

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

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

blocking

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

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

brushing

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

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

carelessness

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

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

certain

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

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

clothes

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

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

Cullen

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

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

distinguished

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

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

dress

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

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I hesitated for a moment.

front

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

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

gait

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

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

hesitated

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

From this reading I hesitated for a moment.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

level

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

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

loafer

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

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

middle

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

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

Milan

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

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

moment

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

From this reading I hesitated for a moment.

Mr

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

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

much

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

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

needed

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

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

new

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

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

now

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

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

outfit

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

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

pavement

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

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

progress

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

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

recognized

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

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

scarcely

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

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

Strand

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

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

street

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

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

unshaved

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

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

very

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

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

Walmsley

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

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading His clothes needed brushing, he was unshaved, and he looked altogether very much in need of a bath and a new outfit.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I scarcely recognized Mr. Cullen when he first accosted me in the courtyard of the Milan.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading At no time of distinguished appearance, a certain carelessness of dress and gait had brought him now almost on a level with the loafer in the street.

word

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

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "May I have a word with you, Mr. Walmsley?" he asked, standing in the middle of the pavement in front of me and blocking my progress toward the Strand.