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At Love's Cost
At Love's Cost

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for At Love's Cost
Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.
It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.
He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.
There also was a boatman in attendance, with huge towels on his arm.
"Did you expect me?" asked Stafford, as the man touched his hat and opened the bathing-shed.
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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.

At Love's Cost

Chapter VII

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.
Line 2
It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.
Line 3
He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.
Line 4
There also was a boatman in attendance, with huge towels on his arm.
Line 5
"Did you expect me?" asked Stafford, as the man touched his hat and opened the bathing-shed.

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Did you expect me?" asked Stafford, as the man touched his hat and opened the bathing-shed.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.”

Beside preposition US /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading “He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.”

Expect verb US /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading “"Did you expect me?" asked Stafford, as the man touched his hat and opened the bathing-shed.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.”

All words in this reading · 67

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 It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.

all

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

also

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

From this reading There also was a boatman in attendance, with huge towels on his arm.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.

arm

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

From this reading There also was a boatman in attendance, with huge towels on his arm.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Did you expect me?" asked Stafford, as the man touched his hat and opened the bathing-shed.

attendance

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

From this reading There also was a boatman in attendance, with huge towels on his arm.

awake

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

From this reading Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.

bath

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

From this reading It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.

bathing-shed

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

boat-house

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

boatman

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

From this reading There also was a boatman in attendance, with huge towels on his arm.

boats

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

call

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

From this reading Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.

came

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

From this reading Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.

descriptions

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading "Did you expect me?" asked Stafford, as the man touched his hat and opened the bathing-shed.

elaborate

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

electric

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading "Did you expect me?" asked Stafford, as the man touched his hat and opened the bathing-shed.

expected

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.

flannels

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

flew

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

From this reading It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

got

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

hat

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

From this reading "Did you expect me?" asked Stafford, as the man touched his hat and opened the bathing-shed.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

huge

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

From this reading There also was a boatman in attendance, with huge towels on his arm.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.

lake

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

launch

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

lovely

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

From this reading It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.

man

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

From this reading "Did you expect me?" asked Stafford, as the man touched his hat and opened the bathing-shed.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading "Did you expect me?" asked Stafford, as the man touched his hat and opened the bathing-shed.

Measom

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

From this reading Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There also was a boatman in attendance, with huge towels on his arm.

opened

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

From this reading "Did you expect me?" asked Stafford, as the man touched his hat and opened the bathing-shed.

picturesque

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

slept

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

From this reading Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.

Stafford

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

From this reading Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.

Stafford's

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

From this reading It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.

Swiss-looking

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

there

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

thoughts

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

From this reading It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.

touched

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

From this reading "Did you expect me?" asked Stafford, as the man touched his hat and opened the bathing-shed.

towels

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

From this reading There also was a boatman in attendance, with huge towels on his arm.

warm

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

From this reading It was a warm and lovely morning, and Stafford's first thoughts flew to a bath.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.

way

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

well

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

From this reading Stafford slept well, and was awake before Measom came to call him.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He got into flannels, and found his way to the lake, and as he expected, there was an elaborate and picturesque bathing-shed beside the Swiss-looking boat-house, in which were an electric launch and boats of all descriptions.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading There also was a boatman in attendance, with huge towels on his arm.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Did you expect me?" asked Stafford, as the man touched his hat and opened the bathing-shed.