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Harold's Bride: A Tale
Harold's Bride: A Tale

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Harold's Bride: A Tale
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DIGGING DEEP.
AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.
The old missionary had hardly been able to keep the saddle.
“Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.
“Alicia has been a little imprudent,” said Harold.
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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.

Harold's Bride: A Tale

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DIGGING DEEP.
Line 2
AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.
Line 3
The old missionary had hardly been able to keep the saddle.
Line 4
“Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.
Line 5
“Alicia has been a little imprudent,” said Harold.

Learner Dictionary

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

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading ““Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The old missionary had hardly been able to keep the saddle.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading ““Alicia has been a little imprudent,” said Harold.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Alicia has been a little imprudent,” said Harold.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading ““Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading “AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading “AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading ““Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.”

All words in this reading · 66

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 “Alicia has been a little imprudent,” said Harold.

able

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

From this reading The old missionary had hardly been able to keep the saddle.

affectionate

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

Alicia

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

away

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The old missionary had hardly been able to keep the saddle.

camp-life

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

concern

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

DEEP

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

From this reading DIGGING DEEP.

DIGGING

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

From this reading DIGGING DEEP.

doing

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

drooping

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

exclamation

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

face

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

fatigues

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

former

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The old missionary had hardly been able to keep the saddle.

hand

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

hardly

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

From this reading The old missionary had hardly been able to keep the saddle.

Harold

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

From this reading “Alicia has been a little imprudent,” said Harold.

Hartley

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading “Alicia has been a little imprudent,” said Harold.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

ill

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

imprudent

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

From this reading “Alicia has been a little imprudent,” said Harold.

keep

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

From this reading The old missionary had hardly been able to keep the saddle.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Alicia has been a little imprudent,” said Harold.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

missionary

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

From this reading The old missionary had hardly been able to keep the saddle.

Mr

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

old

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

From this reading The old missionary had hardly been able to keep the saddle.

pale

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

proved

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

Robin

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

Robins

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

saddle

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

From this reading The old missionary had hardly been able to keep the saddle.

said

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

From this reading “Alicia has been a little imprudent,” said Harold.

sister

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

sunset

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

Talwandi

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

unequal

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

unexpectedly

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

From this reading AT sunset Mr. Hartley and Robin unexpectedly returned to Talwandi, the strength of the former having proved unequal to the fatigues of camp-life.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

Why

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

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Why, Alicia, you must have been ill! what have you been doing while we were away?” was Robins first exclamation, as he took the hand of his sister and looked with affectionate concern at her pale face and drooping appearance.