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An Amiable Charlatan
An Amiable Charlatan

Chapter XIV · Mr. Bundercombe's Love Affair

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Context Illustration Reading 1/95 · 5 lines
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Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.
The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.
Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.
Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.
"Paul," he whispered, "you must notice these two people.
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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.

An Amiable Charlatan

Chapter XIV · Mr. Bundercombe's Love Affair

Reading 1/95 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.
Line 2
The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.
Line 3
Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.
Line 4
Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.
Line 5
"Paul," he whispered, "you must notice these two people.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “"Paul," he whispered, "you must notice these two people.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “"Paul," he whispered, "you must notice these two people.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.

absence

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

affairs

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

animated

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

became

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

best

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

Bundercombe

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

change

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

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

concealing

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.

conversation

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

From this reading Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

country

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

days

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

dinner

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

entered

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

From this reading Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.

every-day

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.

feelings

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "Paul," he whispered, "you must notice these two people.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

idea

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

interest

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

leaned

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

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.

lively

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.

Luigi

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

From this reading Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.

Luigi's

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "Paul," he whispered, "you must notice these two people.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

notice

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

From this reading "Paul," he whispered, "you must notice these two people.

noticeable

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

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

notwithstanding

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

now

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

From this reading Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

Paul

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

From this reading "Paul," he whispered, "you must notice these two people.

people

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

From this reading Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.

place

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

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

produced

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

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

regarding

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.

restaurant

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

From this reading Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.

see

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

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

several

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

spirits

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

table

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

From this reading Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.

temporary

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

tete-a-tete

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe, who in the affairs of every-day life had no idea of concealing his feelings, was regarding them with every appearance of lively interest.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading "Paul," he whispered, "you must notice these two people.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

Two

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

From this reading Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.

unexpectedly

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The change in him was so noticeable that I leaned forward in my place to see what could have produced it.

whispered

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

From this reading "Paul," he whispered, "you must notice these two people.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

wife's

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

From this reading Mr. Bundercombe who, notwithstanding his wife's temporary absence in the country, had not been in the best of spirits for several days, during the course of our tete-a-tete dinner at Luigi's became suddenly and unexpectedly animated.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Two people had entered the restaurant and were in conversation now with Luigi about a table.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Paul," he whispered, "you must notice these two people.