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Mam' Linda
Mam' Linda

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for Mam' Linda
Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.
For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.
It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.
He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.
“I've been waiting for you,” he said, in a cautious undertone.
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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.

Mam' Linda

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.
Line 2
For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.
Line 3
It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.
Line 4
He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.
Line 5
“I've been waiting for you,” he said, in a cautious undertone.

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 “HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading ““I've been waiting for you,” he said, in a cautious undertone.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.”

Deserted verb US /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/

left a place or vessel without intending to return

From this reading “For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

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

From this reading ““I've been waiting for you,” he said, in a cautious undertone.”

Whistle noun US /ˈwhistle/

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

From this reading “He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.”

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 For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

abeyance

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

aspect

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “I've been waiting for you,” he said, in a cautious undertone.

best

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

Blackburn's

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

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

Carson

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

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

cautious

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

From this reading “I've been waiting for you,” he said, in a cautious undertone.

cigar

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

closed

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

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

clouds

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

Crude

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

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

dark

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/

left a place or vessel without intending to return

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

disk

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

door

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

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

doorway

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

down

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

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

evening

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

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

expectant

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

face

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

flaring

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

friends

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

front

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

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

Gordon

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

heard

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

heavy

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

HEN

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

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

high

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

hills

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

how

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

I've

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

From this reading “I've been waiting for you,” he said, in a cautious undertone.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

Keith

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

known

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

lighting

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

moment

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

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

night

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

nine

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

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

o'clock

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

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

out

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

presence

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

reached

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

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

roofed

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

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

said

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

From this reading “I've been waiting for you,” he said, in a cautious undertone.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

shed

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

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

sidewalk

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

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

soft

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

stepped

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

store

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

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

street

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

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading HEN Carson reached the front door of Blackburn's store about nine o'clock that evening, he found it closed.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

troubled

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

undertone

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

From this reading “I've been waiting for you,” he said, in a cautious undertone.

up

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

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

waiting

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

From this reading “I've been waiting for you,” he said, in a cautious undertone.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

west

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

whistlenounUS /ˈwhistle/

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

winds

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

From this reading It was a dark night, and from the aspect of the heavy, troubled clouds high winds seemed in abeyance beyond the hills to the west.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

wondering

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

From this reading He was wondering how he had best make his presence known to his friends within the store, when he heard a soft whistle, and Keith Gordon, the flaring disk of a cigar lighting his expectant face, stepped out of a dark doorway.

wooden

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

From this reading For a moment he stood under the Crude wooden shed that roofed the sidewalk and looked up and down the deserted street.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “I've been waiting for you,” he said, in a cautious undertone.