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Swords Reluctant
Swords Reluctant

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for Swords Reluctant
Context Illustration Reading 1/73 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.
He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.
This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.
Had it been a business affair, with what zeal would he not have plunged into it?
Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Swords Reluctant

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/73 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.
Line 2
He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.
Line 3
This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.
Line 4
Had it been a business affair, with what zeal would he not have plunged into it?
Line 5
Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Had it been a business affair, with what zeal would he not have plunged into it?”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.”

None pronoun US /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading “This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.”

UPON preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

affair

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

From this reading Had it been a business affair, with what zeal would he not have plunged into it?

all

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

From this reading This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

arts

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

From this reading This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

business

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

From this reading Had it been a business affair, with what zeal would he not have plunged into it?

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

carry

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

circumstance

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

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

content

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

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

delayed

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

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

doing

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

drifted

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

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

drifting

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

England

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

expected

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

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

Faber

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

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

far

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

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

finished

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

Gabrielle

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had it been a business affair, with what zeal would he not have plunged into it?

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Had it been a business affair, with what zeal would he not have plunged into it?

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

learned

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

From this reading This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.

less

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

From this reading This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.

longed

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

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

love

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

From this reading This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.

man

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

From this reading This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

novice

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

From this reading This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.

once

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

plunged

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

From this reading Had it been a business affair, with what zeal would he not have plunged into it?

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

SEA

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

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

seas

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

SHIPS

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

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

situation

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

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

soul

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

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

stake

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

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

telegram

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

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

tide

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

TWO

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

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

unhappy

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

UPONprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

very

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

From this reading This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.

wait

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

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Had it been a business affair, with what zeal would he not have plunged into it?

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.

whole

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

From this reading Being far from that, a situation in which the whole soul of the man was at stake, he did as the woman had done--drifted upon the tide of circumstance, and was content to wait.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Had it been a business affair, with what zeal would he not have plunged into it?

woman

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

From this reading This was a man who had learned to love a woman, but was a very novice, none the less, in all the arts of love.

work

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

From this reading He told Gabrielle once upon a time that she was drifting upon a tide which would carry her to unhappy seas; but he himself had been doing the same thing since his work in England was finished.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading TWO SHIPS UPON THE SEA I Faber had expected such a telegram; but he had not thought that it would be so longed delayed.

zeal

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

From this reading Had it been a business affair, with what zeal would he not have plunged into it?