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Eve's Ransom
Eve's Ransom

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for Eve's Ransom
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:
"What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!
It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.
But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!
Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."
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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.

Eve's Ransom

Chapter IX

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:
Line 2
"What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!
Line 3
It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.
Line 4
But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!
Line 5
Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

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 “But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “"What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “"What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!”

All words in this reading · 83

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 When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

ago

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

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

banana

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

From this reading When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

change

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

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

character

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

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

civilises

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

difference

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

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

dine

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

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

dined

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

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

don't

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

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

eating

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

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

enjoyment

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

evening

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

food

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

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

fruit

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

From this reading When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

graceful

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

Hilliard

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

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

hour

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

how

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

influence

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

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

isn't

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

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

made

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

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

mere

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

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

months

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

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

orderly

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

peeling

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

From this reading When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

people

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

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

pleasure

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

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

quality

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

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

quiet

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

said

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

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

set

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

From this reading When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

sit

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

talking

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

things

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It isn't the mere pleasure of eating, the quality of the food--though that must have a great influence on mind and character.

three

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

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

two

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

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

UntilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

vast

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

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

well

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

From this reading Until three months ago I never dined in my life, and I know well what a change it has made in me."

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When fruit had been set before them--and as he was peeling a banana:

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading "What a vast difference," said Hilliard, "between the life of people who dine, and of those who don't!

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading But to sit for an hour or two each evening in quiet, orderly enjoyment, with graceful things about one, talking of whatever is pleasant--how it civilises!