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Dreamikins
Dreamikins

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for Dreamikins
Context Illustration Reading 1/53 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A New Playmate IT was a dull cold afternoon in November.
Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.
There was a blazing fire in the grate and a bright picture screen to keep out the draughts of the door.
Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.
Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.
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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.

Dreamikins

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/53 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A New Playmate IT was a dull cold afternoon in November.
Line 2
Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.
Line 3
There was a blazing fire in the grate and a bright picture screen to keep out the draughts of the door.
Line 4
Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.
Line 5
Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “A New Playmate IT was a dull cold afternoon in November.”

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.”

All words in this reading · 71

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 Playmate IT was a dull cold afternoon in November.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading A New Playmate IT was a dull cold afternoon in November.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

avenue

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

Bertie

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

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

better

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

blazing

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

From this reading There was a blazing fire in the grate and a bright picture screen to keep out the draughts of the door.

box

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

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

bright

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

From this reading There was a blazing fire in the grate and a bright picture screen to keep out the draughts of the door.

cold

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

From this reading A New Playmate IT was a dull cold afternoon in November.

comfort

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.

cosy

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.

Daffy

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

dolls

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

door

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

From this reading There was a blazing fire in the grate and a bright picture screen to keep out the draughts of the door.

draughts

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

From this reading There was a blazing fire in the grate and a bright picture screen to keep out the draughts of the door.

dry

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

dull

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

From this reading A New Playmate IT was a dull cold afternoon in November.

fire

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

From this reading There was a blazing fire in the grate and a bright picture screen to keep out the draughts of the door.

Freda

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.

grate

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

From this reading There was a blazing fire in the grate and a bright picture screen to keep out the draughts of the door.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

hearth-rug

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

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

house

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A New Playmate IT was a dull cold afternoon in November.

ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A New Playmate IT was a dull cold afternoon in November.

keep

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

From this reading There was a blazing fire in the grate and a bright picture screen to keep out the draughts of the door.

leaves

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.

mending

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

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

New

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

From this reading A New Playmate IT was a dull cold afternoon in November.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

November

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

From this reading A New Playmate IT was a dull cold afternoon in November.

now

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

Nurse

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

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

nursery

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

out

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

From this reading There was a blazing fire in the grate and a bright picture screen to keep out the draughts of the door.

pair

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

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

picture

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.

playing

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

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

Playmate

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

From this reading A New Playmate IT was a dull cold afternoon in November.

rocking-chair

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

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

screen

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

From this reading There was a blazing fire in the grate and a bright picture screen to keep out the draughts of the door.

socks

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

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

soldiers

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

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

sweeping

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

There

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

From this reading There was a blazing fire in the grate and a bright picture screen to keep out the draughts of the door.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

tidying

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

tin

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

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading There was a blazing fire in the grate and a bright picture screen to keep out the draughts of the door.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A New Playmate IT was a dull cold afternoon in November.

watching

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy were in the nursery, which looked the picture of cosy comfort.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

window

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Bertie was playing with a box of tin soldiers on the hearth-rug; Nurse was mending a pair of his socks in her rocking-chair.

wondering

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

From this reading Freda and Daffy had been tidying their dolls' house, and now were standing at the window watching the wind sweeping the dry leaves along the avenue, and wondering what they had better do next.