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Double Harness
Double Harness

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for Double Harness
Context Illustration Reading 1/62 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.
There were painful features.
There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.
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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.

Double Harness

Chapter XII

Reading 1/62 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.
Line 2
He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.
Line 3
There were painful features.
Line 4
There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.
Line 5
That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

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 “There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.”

Determined adjective US /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading “IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.”

Whereas conjunction US /weˈræz/

in contrast with the fact that

From this reading “That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.”

All words in this reading · 74

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 There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

also

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

awkward

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

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

Blake

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

blind

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

From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

case

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

From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

cases

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

From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

clearly

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

convinced

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

courage

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

customs

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

From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

declared

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

From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.

determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

disagreeable

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

From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.

distressing

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

From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

down

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

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

exceptional

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

From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

features

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

From this reading There were painful features.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

IMAGES

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

incidents

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

From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.

inevitable

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

From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

laws

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

From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

lines

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

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

made

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

From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

meaning

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

meant

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

new

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

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

only

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

ordinary

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

From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

painful

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

From this reading There were painful features.

period

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

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

provisional

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

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

scandal

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

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

settled

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

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

Sibylla

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

From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.

THEIRdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

There

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

From this reading There were painful features.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

true

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

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

uncomfortable

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

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

Walter

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

wanted

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

wanting

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was not blind, he declared, to the disagreeable and distressing incidents.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading There were painful features.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

whereasconjunctionUS /weˈræz/

in contrast with the fact that

From this reading That was inevitable, since this case--the case of himself and Sibylla--was exceptional, whereas laws and customs were made for the ordinary cases.

wisdom

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

WORK

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading There would be a scandal, and there would be an awkward and uncomfortable period--a provisional period before life settled down on its new and true lines.

young

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

From this reading IMAGES AND THEIR WORK By this time young Walter Blake had not only clearly determined what he wanted and meant to do, he had also convinced himself of his wisdom and courage in wanting and meaning to do it.