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The Childerbridge Mystery
The Childerbridge Mystery

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for The Childerbridge Mystery
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.
Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.
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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 Childerbridge Mystery

Chapter XII

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.
Line 2
On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.
Line 3
From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.
Line 4
Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.
Line 5
Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.”

All words in this reading · 76

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 Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

account

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

From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.

afterwards

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

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

all

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

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

altogether

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

armed

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

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

assurance

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

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

authority

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

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

bedroom

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

Bursfield

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

From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

Decie

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

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

declare

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

delay

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

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.

evening

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

events

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

far

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

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.

given

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

From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.

go

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

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

happened

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

From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

Helen

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

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

implicitly

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

From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

Jim

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

Knowing

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

From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.

latter

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

From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.

Law's

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

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

London

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

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.

moment

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

From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.

morrow

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

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

Mr

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

From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.

night

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

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

positive

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

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

received

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

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

regretted

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

retiring

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

room

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

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

Standerton

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

taken

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

Terence

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

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

trust

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

From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.

turn

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

Unexpected

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

From this reading Unexpected as the events of the evening had been, Jim Standerton, as he stood in his bedroom before retiring to rest, could not declare that he altogether regretted the turn they had taken.

visited

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

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Before retiring to his room he had visited Terence, and had received from him a positive assurance that so far all was right for the night.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Knowing that he might trust the latter implicitly, he had given him an account of what had happened that evening.

wife

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

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.

worst

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

From this reading From that moment Mr. Bursfield might do his worst.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading On the morrow he would go to London, and afterwards, armed with the Law's authority, he would make Helen Decie his wife without delay.