Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The case-book of Sherlock Holmes
The case-book of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter X

Cover illustration for The case-book of Sherlock Holmes
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.
I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.
And you burst suddenly into it.
But the object excuses you, since it was to try and save her.
Well, the stakes are down and the reserve open and you can explore where you will.
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 case-book of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter X

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.
Line 2
I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.
Line 3
And you burst suddenly into it.
Line 4
But the object excuses you, since it was to try and save her.
Line 5
Well, the stakes are down and the reserve open and you can explore where you will.

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.”

Feeling noun US /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading “"That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “"That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Well, the stakes are down and the reserve open and you can explore where you will.”

Save preposition US /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading “But the object excuses you, since it was to try and save her.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “But the object excuses you, since it was to try and save her.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “And you burst suddenly into it.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Well, the stakes are down and the reserve open and you can explore where you will.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “"That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.”

All words in this reading · 70

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 "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

admit

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And you burst suddenly into it.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

bit

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

burst

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

From this reading And you burst suddenly into it.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Well, the stakes are down and the reserve open and you can explore where you will.

case

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

corner

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

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

don't

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

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

down

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

From this reading Well, the stakes are down and the reserve open and you can explore where you will.

excuses

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

From this reading But the object excuses you, since it was to try and save her.

explore

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

From this reading Well, the stakes are down and the reserve open and you can explore where you will.

feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

guess

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

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading But the object excuses you, since it was to try and save her.

Holmes

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading And you burst suddenly into it.

intruders

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

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And you burst suddenly into it.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

men

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

most

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

Mr

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

object

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

From this reading But the object excuses you, since it was to try and save her.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

off

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Well, the stakes are down and the reserve open and you can explore where you will.

own

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

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

point-blank

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

private

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

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

really

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

relations

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

reserve

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

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading But the object excuses you, since it was to try and save her.

serious

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

shy

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading But the object excuses you, since it was to try and save her.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

some

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

souls

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

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

stakes

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

From this reading Well, the stakes are down and the reserve open and you can explore where you will.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading And you burst suddenly into it.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

there

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But the object excuses you, since it was to try and save her.

try

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

From this reading But the object excuses you, since it was to try and save her.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But the object excuses you, since it was to try and save her.

welcome

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

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

Well

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

From this reading Well, the stakes are down and the reserve open and you can explore where you will.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

woman

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "That may be so, but you will admit, Mr. Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked point-blank what their relations with a woman may be--if there is really some serious feeling in the case.