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Ralph Wilton's Weird
Ralph Wilton's Weird

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for Ralph Wilton's Weird
Context Illustration Reading 1/67 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.
The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.
"I thought Ella was never coming back yesterday," he said, in his plaintive, querulous voice.
"I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.
Oh!
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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.

Ralph Wilton's Weird

Chapter VI

Reading 1/67 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.
Line 2
The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.
Line 3
"I thought Ella was never coming back yesterday," he said, in his plaintive, querulous voice.
Line 4
"I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.
Line 5
Oh!

Learner Dictionary

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

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “"I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “"I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.”

Spending noun US /ˈspending/

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

From this reading “Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I thought Ella was never coming back yesterday," he said, in his plaintive, querulous voice.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “"I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

appeared

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

away

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

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

back

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

From this reading "I thought Ella was never coming back yesterday," he said, in his plaintive, querulous voice.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

better

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

From this reading The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.

boy

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

From this reading The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

coming

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

From this reading "I thought Ella was never coming back yesterday," he said, in his plaintive, querulous voice.

consolation

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

From this reading The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

cousin

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

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

day

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

Donald

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

Ella

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

George

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

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

hour

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I thought Ella was never coming back yesterday," he said, in his plaintive, querulous voice.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.

inquiry

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

intention

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

lost

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

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

moods

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

From this reading The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.

Mr

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

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

Oh

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

From this reading Oh!

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

out

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

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

plaintive

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

From this reading "I thought Ella was never coming back yesterday," he said, in his plaintive, querulous voice.

pleasure

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.

promised

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

querulous

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

From this reading "I thought Ella was never coming back yesterday," he said, in his plaintive, querulous voice.

Rivers

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

rode

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

run

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

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

said

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

From this reading "I thought Ella was never coming back yesterday," he said, in his plaintive, querulous voice.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

snow

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

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

spendingnounUS /ˈspending/

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

St

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

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The boy was in one of his better moods, although that was a poor consolation.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I thought Ella was never coming back yesterday," he said, in his plaintive, querulous voice.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

true

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

voice

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

From this reading "I thought Ella was never coming back yesterday," he said, in his plaintive, querulous voice.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.

Wilton

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

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Wilton was true to his intention, and rode over the next day to make the promised inquiry, when he had the pleasure of spending half an hour with Donald, but Ella Rivers never appeared.

yesterday

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

From this reading "I thought Ella was never coming back yesterday," he said, in his plaintive, querulous voice.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I could not make out whether she had been lost in the snow, or whether your cousin, that Mr. St. George Wilton, had run away with her.