Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Oak Openings
Oak Openings

Chapter XXII

Cover illustration for Oak Openings
Context Illustration Reading 1/91 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!
Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.
Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.
One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.
Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Oak Openings

Chapter XXII

Reading 1/91 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!
Line 2
Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.
Line 3
Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.
Line 4
One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.
Line 5
Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

Learner Dictionary

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

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.”

Couple noun US /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading “Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.”

Divided noun US /ˈdivided/

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

From this reading “One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.”

Let auxiliary verb US /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.”

Mine pronoun US /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.”

None pronoun US /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading “Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.”

All words in this reading · 89

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 Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

accustomed

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

agitating

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

ascendant

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

From this reading Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

Bornazeen

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

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

brooks

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

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

chiefs

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

contention

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

control

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

From this reading Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

Cowesass

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

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

detected

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

dispute

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

dividednounUS /ˈdivided/

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

doubts

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

easily

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

father

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

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

father's

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

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

gloomy

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

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

hard

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

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

heart

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

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

homeward

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

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

influence

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

From this reading Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

Leaving

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

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

Letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

like

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

looks

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

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

manifested

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

means

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

From this reading Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

minepronounUS /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

neglected

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

From this reading Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

newly-married

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

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

now

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

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

opinions

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

Peter's

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

From this reading Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

Prairie

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

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

priest

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

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

province

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

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

pursue

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

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

return

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

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

Round

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

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

savage

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

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

scenes

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

scowling

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

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

securing

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

From this reading Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

shrift

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

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

signs

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

squaw

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

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

tawkich

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

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

thaw

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

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

usual

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

From this reading Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Peter's control was still in the ascendant, and he had neglected none of his usual means of securing influence.

way

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

From this reading Leaving the newly-married couple to pursue their way homeward, it is now our province to return to Prairie Round.

wessasseen

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

From this reading No shrift the gloomy savage brooks, As scowling on the priest he looks; Cowesass--cowesass--tawkich wessasseen!

WHITTIER

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

From this reading Let my father look on Bornazeen-- My father's heart is the heart of a squaw, But mine is so hard that it does not thaw, --WHITTIER.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading One accustomed to such scenes would easily have detected the signs of divided opinions and of agitating doubts among the chiefs, though nothing like contention or dispute had yet manifested itself.