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The coming
The coming

Chapter III

Cover illustration for The coming
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.
Tall, slight, a picture of vivid health, she had a charming prettiness of an unusual kind.
And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.
Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.
It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.
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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 coming

Chapter III

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

Line 1
Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.
Line 2
Tall, slight, a picture of vivid health, she had a charming prettiness of an unusual kind.
Line 3
And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.
Line 4
Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.
Line 5
It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.”

Broken noun US /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.

ago

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

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Tall, slight, a picture of vivid health, she had a charming prettiness of an unusual kind.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

Babs

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

Brandon

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

Brandon's

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

From this reading It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.

brokennounUS /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

charming

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

From this reading Tall, slight, a picture of vivid health, she had a charming prettiness of an unusual kind.

clear

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

continually

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

From this reading It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.

contrast

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

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

creatures

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

dark

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

From this reading It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.

eagerness

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

elf-like

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

EvennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

eyes

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

fit

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

force

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

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

girlish

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

haunted

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

From this reading It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

health

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

From this reading Tall, slight, a picture of vivid health, she had a charming prettiness of an unusual kind.

helping

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

high

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

From this reading It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.

hovered

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

From this reading It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

intensity

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.

Joskin

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

kind

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

From this reading Tall, slight, a picture of vivid health, she had a charming prettiness of an unusual kind.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

long-lashed

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

lusty

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

man

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

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

Millicent

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

moment

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

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

mother

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

noticed

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

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

out

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

picture

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

prettiness

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

From this reading Tall, slight, a picture of vivid health, she had a charming prettiness of an unusual kind.

puzzle

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

rich

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

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.

shared

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

slight

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

From this reading Tall, slight, a picture of vivid health, she had a charming prettiness of an unusual kind.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

spirit

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

From this reading It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.

spread

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

sturdy

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

table

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

Tall

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

From this reading Tall, slight, a picture of vivid health, she had a charming prettiness of an unusual kind.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was clear, however, that above Millicent Brandon’s high spirit hovered the dark shadow which continually haunted her.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

together

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

too

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

two

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

unusual

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

From this reading Tall, slight, a picture of vivid health, she had a charming prettiness of an unusual kind.

vicar

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

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

vitality

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

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

vivid

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

From this reading Tall, slight, a picture of vivid health, she had a charming prettiness of an unusual kind.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Even the vicar, who noticed so little, was struck by the force of the contrast between this rich vitality and the broken man whom he had left a moment ago.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Millicent Brandon looked too girlish to be the mother of the two lusty creatures whom she was helping to fit together a picture puzzle which had been spread out on a table.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.

yellow-headed

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

From this reading And in the clear, long-lashed eyes was an eagerness, an intensity of life which the elf-like Babs and the sturdy, yellow-headed Joskin shared with her.