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Our Mutual Friend
Our Mutual Friend

Chapter XXIX

Cover illustration for Our Mutual Friend
Context Illustration Reading 1/146 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.
As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.
It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.
It was as the day went on that the clouds gathered, and the brightness of the morning became obscured.
One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.
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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.

Our Mutual Friend

Chapter XXIX

Reading 1/146 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.
Line 2
As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.
Line 3
It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.
Line 4
It was as the day went on that the clouds gathered, and the brightness of the morning became obscured.
Line 5
One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.

Learner Dictionary

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

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.”

Avarice noun US /ˈæv.ər.ɪs/

Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.

From this reading “One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading “It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was as the day went on that the clouds gathered, and the brightness of the morning became obscured.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.”

Waking adjective US /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading “As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was as the day went on that the clouds gathered, and the brightness of the morning became obscured.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

always

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

avaricenounUS /ˈæv.ər.ɪs/

Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.

From this reading One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.

became

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

From this reading It was as the day went on that the clouds gathered, and the brightness of the morning became obscured.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.

Bella

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

Boffin's

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

breakfast

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

brightness

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

From this reading It was as the day went on that the clouds gathered, and the brightness of the morning became obscured.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

change

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

From this reading It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.

character

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

closed

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

From this reading One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.

clouds

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

From this reading It was as the day went on that the clouds gathered, and the brightness of the morning became obscured.

corrupting

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

day

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

demeanour

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

distrust

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

From this reading One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.

DUSTMAN

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

easy

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

From this reading It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.

face

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

gathered

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

From this reading It was as the day went on that the clouds gathered, and the brightness of the morning became obscured.

generally

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

GOLDEN

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

gradually

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

From this reading One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

healthy

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.

HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

hours

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

influences

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.

lengthened

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

From this reading One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.

meal

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was as the day went on that the clouds gathered, and the brightness of the morning became obscured.

Mr

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

natural

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

necessary

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

new

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

night

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

From this reading One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.

obscured

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

From this reading It was as the day went on that the clouds gathered, and the brightness of the morning became obscured.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was as the day went on that the clouds gathered, and the brightness of the morning became obscured.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

own

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

From this reading One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

presided

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

relapse

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

said

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

From this reading One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.

shadows

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

From this reading One might have said that the shadows of avarice and distrust lengthened as his own shadow lengthened, and that the night closed around him gradually.

some

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

table

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

then

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

From this reading It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.

there

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

From this reading It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

unclouded

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

usually

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

very

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

wealth

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was as the day went on that the clouds gathered, and the brightness of the morning became obscured.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading As though he began each new day in his healthy natural character, and some waking hours were necessary to his relapse into the corrupting influences of his wealth, the face and the demeanour of the Golden Dustman were generally unclouded at that meal.

WORST

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

From this reading THE GOLDEN DUSTMAN AT HIS WORST The breakfast table at Mr Boffin’s was usually a very pleasant one, and was always presided over by Bella.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading It would have been easy to believe then, that there was no change in him.