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

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for Audrey
Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.
Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.
“You may tell Mr. Haward that I am at home, Chloe.
Bring him here.”
The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.
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.

Audrey

Chapter XVII

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

Line 1
A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.
Line 2
Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.
Line 3
“You may tell Mr. Haward that I am at home, Chloe.
Line 4
Bring him here.”
Line 5
The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Bring him here.””

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading ““You may tell Mr. Haward that I am at home, Chloe.”

QUESTION noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““You may tell Mr. Haward that I am at home, Chloe.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

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

From this reading “Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.”

All words in this reading · 75

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “You may tell Mr. Haward that I am at home, Chloe.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

arrangement

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

bent

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

black

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

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

Bring

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

From this reading Bring him here.”

brown

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

Chloe

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

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

COLORS

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

comb

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

commenced

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

door

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

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

elaborate

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

Evelyn

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

eyes

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

fairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

glass

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

Green

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

grow

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

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

hairdresser

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

hand

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

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

handmaiden

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

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

Haward

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

From this reading “You may tell Mr. Haward that I am at home, Chloe.

head

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Bring him here.”

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Bring him here.”

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

home

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

From this reading “You may tell Mr. Haward that I am at home, Chloe.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “You may tell Mr. Haward that I am at home, Chloe.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

latch

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

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

lips

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “You may tell Mr. Haward that I am at home, Chloe.

mistress

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

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

most

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

Mr

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

now

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

ordinary

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

own

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

pursed

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

QUESTIONnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

reflection

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

rippling

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

seated

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

side

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

spoke

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

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

table

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “You may tell Mr. Haward that I am at home, Chloe.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “You may tell Mr. Haward that I am at home, Chloe.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

Timothy

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

tired

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

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

toilette

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

tresses

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

unseeing

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

waiting

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

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Chloe, the black handmaiden who stood at the door, latch in hand, had time to grow tired of waiting before her mistress spoke.

Williamsburgh

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

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A QUESTION OF COLORS Evelyn, seated at her toilette table, and in the hands of Mr. Timothy Green, hairdresser in ordinary to Williamsburgh, looked with unseeing eyes at her own fair reflection in the glass before her.

working

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

From this reading The hairdresser drew a comb through the rippling brown tresses and commenced his most elaborate arrangement, working with pursed lips, and head bent now to this side, now to that.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “You may tell Mr. Haward that I am at home, Chloe.