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John Marvel, Assistant
John Marvel, Assistant

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for John Marvel, Assistant
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
Poverty and want were in every face.
A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
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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.

John Marvel, Assistant

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
Line 2
It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
Line 3
Poverty and want were in every face.
Line 4
A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
Line 5
The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

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 “In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Poverty and want were in every face.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.”

All words in this reading · 74

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

aisles

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

From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.

ameliorate

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

brow

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

From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.

building

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

From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.

called

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

came

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

case

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

chapel

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

Christmas

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

church

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

conditions

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

congregation

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

crowd

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

From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.

crowded

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

depressing-looking

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

From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

evening

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.

face

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

From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

hand

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

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

hopeless

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

From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

inside

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

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.

John

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

just

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

many

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

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

Marvel

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

meeting

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

misery

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

From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

people

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

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

Poverty

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

From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.

sat

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

From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.

see

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

sombre

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

From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.

some

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

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

somehow

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

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

state

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

suffocation

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

sullen

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

From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

thronged

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

From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

walls

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

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

want

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

From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.

wishing

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

From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.