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Behind the bronze door
Behind the bronze door

Chapter XXVII

Cover illustration for Behind the bronze door
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AGAINST THE WIND.
George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
“He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.
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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.

Behind the bronze door

Chapter XXVII

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AGAINST THE WIND.
/əˈɡenst ðə wind/
Line 2
George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.
Line 3
It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.
Line 4
“He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.
Line 5
The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.

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 ““He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.”

AGAINST preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “AGAINST THE WIND.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.”

WIND noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AGAINST THE WIND.”

All words in this reading · 85

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

AGAINSTprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading AGAINST THE WIND.

also

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

approached

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

Blenkiron

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

breezy

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

calls

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

carriage

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.

Cora

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

cottage

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

curiosity

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

days

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

drive

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

engagement

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

flanked

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

George

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

good-sized

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

greatly

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

half-a-mile

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

happening

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

Hartsilver

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

hollow

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

From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.

Hopford

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

house

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

interested

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

items

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.

Johnson

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

knew

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

letter

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

lies

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

From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

mentioned

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

much

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

neighborhood

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

Nest

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

news

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

other

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

out

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

Preston

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

prompted

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

reality

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

seek

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

sides

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

some

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

Stapleton's

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

style

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AGAINST THE WIND.

thick

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

three

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

Uckfield

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

undergrowth

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

unexpectedly

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

From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.

usual

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

vicinity

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

view

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading It was a long letter, and Blenkiron mentioned among other items of news that, happening to be in the neighborhood of Uckfield, some days before, curiosity had prompted him to seek out Stapleton’s cottage, The Nest, which he knew to be in the vicinity.

WINDnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading AGAINST THE WIND.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

woods

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

From this reading “He calls it a ‘cottage,’” he wrote, “but in reality it is a good-sized house, approached by a carriage drive about half-a-mile long, and flanked on three sides by woods with thick undergrowth.

wrote

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

From this reading George Blenkiron wrote in his usual breezy style, and much of the news in his letter interested Johnson greatly, in view of what Hopford and Preston had told him, also in view of his engagement to Cora Hartsilver.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The house itself lies in a hollow, and you come upon it unexpectedly.