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The Cottage of Delight: A Novel
The Cottage of Delight: A Novel

Chapter XXIII

Cover illustration for The Cottage of Delight: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.
They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.
The station was finally reached.
No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.
"Ticket-office isn't open at this hour," John explained to Dora.
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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 Cottage of Delight: A Novel

Chapter XXIII

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.
Line 2
They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.
Line 3
The station was finally reached.
Line 4
No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.
Line 5
"Ticket-office isn't open at this hour," John explained to Dora.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Ticket-office isn't open at this hour," John explained to Dora.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “"Ticket-office isn't open at this hour," John explained to Dora.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.”

All words in this reading · 75

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 No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

ample

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

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

any

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

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

avoid

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

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

best

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

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

Cavanaugh

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

comment

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

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

departure

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

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

door

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

door-step

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

Dora

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

From this reading "Ticket-office isn't open at this hour," John explained to Dora.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

explained

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

From this reading "Ticket-office isn't open at this hour," John explained to Dora.

finally

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

From this reading The station was finally reached.

find

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

front

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

gate

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

hand

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

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

hour

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

From this reading "Ticket-office isn't open at this hour," John explained to Dora.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

isn't

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

From this reading "Ticket-office isn't open at this hour," John explained to Dora.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

John

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

From this reading "Ticket-office isn't open at this hour," John explained to Dora.

key

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

lantern

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

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

locked

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

meeting

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

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

odd

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

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

old

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading "Ticket-office isn't open at this hour," John explained to Dora.

out

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

place

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

put

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

reached

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

From this reading The station was finally reached.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

station

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

then

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

there

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

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading "Ticket-office isn't open at this hour," John explained to Dora.

Ticket-office

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

From this reading "Ticket-office isn't open at this hour," John explained to Dora.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

trudged

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

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The station was finally reached.

watchman

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

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.

way

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

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading He locked the front door after them, put the key into its old place under the door-step, where Cavanaugh could find it, and then they passed out at the gate and trudged toward the station.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading They had ample time, and so he took the best way to avoid meeting any one who might comment on their odd departure.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading No one was there but a watchman with a lantern in his hand, and he did not know either of them.