Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The beating heart
The beating heart

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for The beating heart
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.
He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.
He had grown pale and gaunt, he stooped a little, his clothes hung on him loosely.
Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.
Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.
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.

The beating heart

Chapter VI

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.
Line 2
He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.
Line 3
He had grown pale and gaunt, he stooped a little, his clothes hung on him loosely.
Line 4
Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.
Line 5
Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.

Learner Dictionary

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

Agony noun US /ˈæɡ.ə.ni/

Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.

From this reading “Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.”

Doctor noun US /doctor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.”

Dreadful adjective US /ˈdrɛdfəl/

extremely frightening or unpleasant

From this reading “Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.”

Duty noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had grown pale and gaunt, he stooped a little, his clothes hung on him loosely.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.”

Mortal adjective US /ˈmɔːrtəl/

causing or relating to death

From this reading “Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.”

Nights noun US /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading “Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading “Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.”

All words in this reading · 103

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 He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

agonynounUS /ˈæɡ.ə.ni/

Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

animals

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

anxiety

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

From this reading Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

astounded

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.

beliefs

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

blocked

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

came

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

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

changed

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

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

clear

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

clear-eyed

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

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

clothes

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

From this reading He had grown pale and gaunt, he stooped a little, his clothes hung on him loosely.

country

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

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

crumbling

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

cut

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

days

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

determination

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

doctornounUS /doctor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.

draining

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/

extremely frightening or unpleasant

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

ears

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

elapsed

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

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

fixed

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

gaunt

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

From this reading He had grown pale and gaunt, he stooped a little, his clothes hung on him loosely.

grown

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

From this reading He had grown pale and gaunt, he stooped a little, his clothes hung on him loosely.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He had grown pale and gaunt, he stooped a little, his clothes hung on him loosely.

hold

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

From this reading Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.

house

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

hung

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

From this reading He had grown pale and gaunt, he stooped a little, his clothes hung on him loosely.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

Jenkins

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

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

kill

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

lay

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

less

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had grown pale and gaunt, he stooped a little, his clothes hung on him loosely.

loosely

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

From this reading He had grown pale and gaunt, he stooped a little, his clothes hung on him loosely.

man

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

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

mark

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

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

mental

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

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

mortaladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrtəl/

causing or relating to death

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

nightsnounUS /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

now

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had grown pale and gaunt, he stooped a little, his clothes hung on him loosely.

once

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

only

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

From this reading Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.

out

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

From this reading Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.

pale

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

From this reading He had grown pale and gaunt, he stooped a little, his clothes hung on him loosely.

penetrating

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

plain

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

From this reading Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.

rang

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

resolve

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

RightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.

room

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

screaming

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

sleepless

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

stooped

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

From this reading He had grown pale and gaunt, he stooped a little, his clothes hung on him loosely.

straight

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

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

strong

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

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

suffering

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

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

ThosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

Three

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

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

top

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

tranquil-minded

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

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

uncertainty

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

unhappy

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.

up

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

weeks

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

From this reading Three weeks had elapsed, three weeks of dreadful mental suffering for Jenkins and it had left its mark upon him.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He was a changed man from the one who came strong and straight, clear-eyed and tranquil-minded from the country.

whole

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

wondering

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

From this reading Those sleepless nights when the screaming of the animals in mortal agony rang through the whole house penetrating even to his top room and through his blocked up ears, were draining his strength little by little, but now his resolve once fixed and the determination to kill the doctor, clear cut in his mind, he was less unhappy than in those first days of astounded wondering, crumbling beliefs and uncertainty as to where his duty lay.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Now that the Right lay plain before him, he had only one anxiety--that his strength would hold out until his duty was done.