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Sister Carrie: A Novel
Sister Carrie: A Novel

Chapter XXIII · When Waters Engulf Us We Reach for a Star

Cover illustration for Sister Carrie: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/63 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.
He thrilled intensely as he noted the handwriting, and rapidly tore it open.
“Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”
He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.
“She wouldn’t write at all if she didn’t care for me.”
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Sister Carrie: A Novel

Chapter XXIII · When Waters Engulf Us We Reach for a Star

Reading 1/63 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.
Line 2
He thrilled intensely as he noted the handwriting, and rapidly tore it open.
Line 3
“Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”
Line 4
He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.
Line 5
“She wouldn’t write at all if she didn’t care for me.”

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.””

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “He thrilled intensely as he noted the handwriting, and rapidly tore it open.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading “It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.””

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading ““Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.””

All words in this reading · 65

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

all

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

From this reading “Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He thrilled intensely as he noted the handwriting, and rapidly tore it open.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.

care

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

From this reading “She wouldn’t write at all if she didn’t care for me.”

Carrie

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

decisive

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

depressed

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

From this reading He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.

didn't

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

From this reading “She wouldn’t write at all if she didn’t care for me.”

disturbed

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

few

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

From this reading He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

handwriting

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

From this reading He thrilled intensely as he noted the handwriting, and rapidly tore it open.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”

Hay

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

Hurstwood

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “She wouldn’t write at all if she didn’t care for me.”

intensely

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

From this reading He thrilled intensely as he noted the handwriting, and rapidly tore it open.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

James

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

letter

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

loves

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

From this reading “Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”

McGregor

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”

minutes

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

From this reading He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”

note

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

noted

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

From this reading He thrilled intensely as he noted the handwriting, and rapidly tore it open.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading He thrilled intensely as he noted the handwriting, and rapidly tore it open.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”

rapidly

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

From this reading He thrilled intensely as he noted the handwriting, and rapidly tore it open.

receiving

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

recovered

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

From this reading He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading “Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”

slightly

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

From this reading He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.

soon

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

From this reading He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.

streets

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

stroll

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

tenor

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

From this reading He was slightly depressed at the tenor of the note for the first few minutes, but soon recovered.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

Then

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

From this reading “Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”

thrilled

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

From this reading He thrilled intensely as he noted the handwriting, and rapidly tore it open.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”

tore

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

From this reading He thrilled intensely as he noted the handwriting, and rapidly tore it open.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Then,” he thought, “she loves me or she would not have written to me at all.”

wouldn't

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

From this reading “She wouldn’t write at all if she didn’t care for me.”

write

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

From this reading “She wouldn’t write at all if she didn’t care for me.”

written

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

From this reading It was when he returned from his disturbed stroll about the streets, after receiving the decisive note from McGregor, James and Hay, that Hurstwood found the letter Carrie had written him that morning.