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Blake's Burden
Blake's Burden

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for Blake's Burden
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.
He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.
Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.
Challoner glanced at the card his servant gave him.
"Clarke?
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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.

Blake's Burden

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.
Line 2
He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.
Line 3
Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.
Line 4
Challoner glanced at the card his servant gave him.
Line 5
"Clarke?

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 “A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading “He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.”

All words in this reading · 72

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 NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

anxious

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Challoner glanced at the card his servant gave him.

away

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

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

Blake

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

called

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

came

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

card

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

From this reading Challoner glanced at the card his servant gave him.

Challoner

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

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

Chudleigh

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

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

Clarke

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

From this reading "Clarke?

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

earlier

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

evening

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

few

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

gave

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

From this reading Challoner glanced at the card his servant gave him.

glanced

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

From this reading Challoner glanced at the card his servant gave him.

Greythorpe's

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

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

hard

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

home

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

house

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

integrity

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

leaving

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

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

library

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

man

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

Mrs

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

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

neighbour's

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

NEW

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

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

news

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

PERSECUTOR

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

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

see

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

servant

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

From this reading Challoner glanced at the card his servant gave him.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

some

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

son

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

Soon

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

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

spent

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

Then

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

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

tried

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

uncertain

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

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

unpleasantly

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

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

visit

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

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

weeks

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

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A NEW PERSECUTOR Soon after Greythorpe's visit Mrs. Chudleigh went away, leaving Challoner unpleasantly uncertain about the course she might take.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Then one evening when he came home from a neighbour's house he was told that a man who had called to see him some time earlier was in the library.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He was still without news of Blake; he could not question his son, whose integrity he tried hard to believe in, and he spent a few anxious weeks.