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Re-creations
Re-creations

Chapter V

Cover illustration for Re-creations
Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.
They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:
“Oh, gee!
I gotta beat it.”
A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.
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.

Re-creations

Chapter V

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.
Line 2
They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:
Line 3
“Oh, gee!
Line 4
I gotta beat it.”
Line 5
A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.”

Astonished adjective US /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading “They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.”

Disappeared noun US /ˈdisappeared/

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

From this reading “They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

anyway

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

apartment

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

appeared

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

attired

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

back

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

beat

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

From this reading I gotta beat it.”

bite

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

Boy

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

closet

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

cramming

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

demanded

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

doorway

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

down

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

explanation

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

few

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

floating

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

gee

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

From this reading “Oh, gee!

gingerbread

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

glad

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

got

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

gotta

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

From this reading I gotta beat it.”

Harry

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

how

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

hugs

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I gotta beat it.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I gotta beat it.”

kisses

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

like

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

locomotives

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

made

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

movements

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

much

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

Oh

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

From this reading “Oh, gee!

old

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

own

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

pause

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

room

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

rushing

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

rustling

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

sat

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

Scout

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

smeared

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

smothered

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

sound

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

stairs

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

staring

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

surrounded

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

then

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

trailing

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

unfamiliar

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

uniform

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

up

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

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

wanted

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

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A few rustling movements in his own little closet of a room, and he was back attired in an old Boy Scout uniform, and cramming down the last bite of his gingerbread.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him:

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading They appeared in the doorway suddenly after a sound like locomotives rushing up the stairs, and surrounded her where she sat after one astonished pause at the doorway, staring around the unfamiliar apartment.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading They smothered her with hugs and kisses, and demanded to know how she got so much done, and what she wanted of them anyway; and they smeared her with gingerbread, and made her glad; and then as suddenly Harry disappeared with the floating explanation trailing back after him: