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The Amethyst Box
The Amethyst Box

Chapter V

Cover illustration for The Amethyst Box
Context Illustration Reading 1/87 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.
Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.
But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.
I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.
But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.
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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.

The Amethyst Box

Chapter V

Reading 1/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.
Line 2
Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.
Line 3
But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.
Line 4
I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.
Line 5
But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

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 “But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.”

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.”

Amid preposition US /əˈmɪd/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading “Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.”

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading “I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.”

Feeling noun US /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading “But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.”

Lest conjunction US /lest/

in order that something should not happen

From this reading “Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.”

All words in this reading · 99

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 But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

AgainnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.

anew

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

anxious

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

any

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

back

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

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

blanket-like

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

From this reading I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.

breathing

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

brush

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.

calling

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

came

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

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

carrying

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

chance

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

comfort

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

confronted

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

From this reading I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.

darkness

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

From this reading I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.

door

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

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

failed

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

From this reading Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.

fearing

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

feel

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

fences

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.

gave

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

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

heard

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

hope

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

house

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

impenetrable

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

From this reading I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

instead

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

intense

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

leave

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

lestconjunctionUS /lest/

in order that something should not happen

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

light

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

listening

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

lost

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

loudly

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

lying

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

made

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

match-box

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

meet

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

From this reading Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.

miss

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

moment

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.

night

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

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

now

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

offered

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

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

pocket

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

raised

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

From this reading Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.

refuge

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

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

response

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

From this reading Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.

road

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

seeking

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

seized

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

shed

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

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

soft

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

softly

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

sound

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

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

stepped

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

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

succor

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

Then

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.

voice

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

From this reading Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.

walls

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

way

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.

weariful

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

From this reading But when after a moment of intense listening I heard a soft sound as of weariful breathing, I was seized anew by hope, and, feeling in my pocket for my match-box, I made a light and looked around.

welcomed

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

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading But the night gave back no sound, and when I came to the open door of a shed, I welcomed the refuge it offered and stepped in.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Again I raised my voice, and again I failed to meet with response.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading I was, of course, confronted by darkness,--a different darkness from that without, blanket-like and impenetrable.

woman

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

From this reading Then, fearing to leave the house lest I should be quite lost amid the fences and brush lying between it and the road, I began to feel my way along the walls, calling softly now, instead of loudly, so anxious was I not to miss any chance of carrying comfort, if not succor, to the woman I was seeking.