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I and My Chimney
I and My Chimney

Chapter III

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Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.
But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.
“Well, old man,” said she, “who is it from, and what is it about?”
“Read it, wife,” said I, handing it.
Read it she did, and then—such an explosion!
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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.

I and My Chimney

Chapter III

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

Line 1
Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.
Line 2
But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.
Line 3
“Well, old man,” said she, “who is it from, and what is it about?”
Line 4
“Read it, wife,” said I, handing it.
Line 5
Read it she did, and then—such an explosion!

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 “Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.”

Explosion noun US /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/

a sudden violent burst of sound or force

From this reading “Read it she did, and then—such an explosion!”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.”

Meantime noun US /ˈmiːntaɪm/

the period of time while something else is happening

From this reading “But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.”

Memory noun US /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading “Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.”

Mysterious adjective US /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading “Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.”

Nevertheless adverb US /ˌnevərðəˈles/

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading “Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.”

Strangely noun US /ˈstrangely/

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

From this reading “Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Well, old man,” said she, “who is it from, and what is it about?””

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 But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Read it she did, and then—such an explosion!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

calm

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

chimed

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

chimeras

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

cool

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

dare

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Read it she did, and then—such an explosion!

dismissed

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

enough

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/

a sudden violent burst of sound or force

From this reading Read it she did, and then—such an explosion!

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

flashings

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “Well, old man,” said she, “who is it from, and what is it about?”

gleamings

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

handing

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

From this reading “Read it, wife,” said I, handing it.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

head

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

impatient

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

ingots

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Well, old man,” said she, “who is it from, and what is it about?”

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

kinsman

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

letter

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

man

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

From this reading “Well, old man,” said she, “who is it from, and what is it about?”

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

meantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/

the period of time while something else is happening

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

Mr

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

difficult to explain or understand

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

naturally

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

nearby

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

NeverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/

in spite of what has just been said

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

note

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

old

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

From this reading “Well, old man,” said she, “who is it from, and what is it about?”

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

Read

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

From this reading “Read it, wife,” said I, handing it.

recalling

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

said

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

From this reading “Well, old man,” said she, “who is it from, and what is it about?”

say

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

Scribe

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading “Well, old man,” said she, “who is it from, and what is it about?”

sitting

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

skulls

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

smile

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

soon

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

taken

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

then

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

From this reading Read it she did, and then—such an explosion!

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

turned

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

unexplained

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

united

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

vague

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

very

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

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

Well

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

From this reading “Well, old man,” said she, “who is it from, and what is it about?”

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

wife

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Nevertheless, the note of Mr. Scribe, so strangely recalling the memory of my kinsman, very naturally chimed in with what had been mysterious, or at least unexplained, about him; vague flashings of ingots united in my mind with vague gleamings of skulls.

write

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

From this reading But the first cool thought soon dismissed such chimeras; and, with a calm smile, I turned towards my wife, who, meantime, had been sitting nearby, impatient enough, I dare say, to know who could have taken it into his head to write me a letter.