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Blake's Burden
Blake's Burden

Chapter XXXI

Cover illustration for Blake's Burden
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.
Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.
She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.
It was his last evening in England.
When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.
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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 XXXI

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.
Line 2
Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.
Line 3
She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.
Line 4
It was his last evening in England.
Line 5
When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

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 “When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was his last evening in England.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.”

OIL noun US /ɔɪl/

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading “HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.”

All words in this reading · 61

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 HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

accompanied

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

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

afterwards

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

From this reading When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

appreciate

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

Blake

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

From this reading She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.

Challoner

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

From this reading When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

conversation

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

From this reading When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

Dinner

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

drawing-room

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

From this reading When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

engaged

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

From this reading When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

England

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

From this reading It was his last evening in England.

evening

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

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

expected

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

Foster

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.

function

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

hard

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

From this reading She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.

HARDING

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

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

humorous

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.

jokes

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

Keith

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

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was his last evening in England.

Millicent

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

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

moment

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

From this reading She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.

mood

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

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

Mrs

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

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

NextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

noticed

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

From this reading She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.

OILnounUS /ɔɪl/

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

quiet

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

From this reading She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.

Sandymere

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

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

sat

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

sing

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

From this reading When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

smile

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

From this reading She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.

strain

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

STRIKES

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

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

talked

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

troubled

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

From this reading HARDING STRIKES OIL Next evening Millicent accompanied Mrs. Keith to Sandymere in a troubled mood.

trying

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

unusually

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

From this reading She found it hard to smile at the right moment and noticed that Blake was unusually quiet.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When they went into the drawing-room Challoner engaged her in conversation for a time and she was afterwards asked to sing.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Dinner was a trying function, because she sat next to Foster, who talked in a humorous strain and expected her to appreciate his jokes.