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The Double Four
The Double Four

Chapter I

Cover illustration for The Double Four
Context Illustration Reading 1/68 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."
The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.
It was a very pleasant and very peaceful prospect.
There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.
Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.
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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 Double Four

Chapter I

Reading 1/68 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."
Line 2
The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.
Line 3
It was a very pleasant and very peaceful prospect.
Line 4
There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.
Line 5
Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.”

Boundary noun US /ˈbaʊn.də.ri/

A line that marks the limits of an area.

From this reading “There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.”

Chalk noun US /tʃɔːk/

A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.

From this reading “There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a very pleasant and very peaceful prospect.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.”

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 It was a very pleasant and very peaceful prospect.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

arranged

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

From this reading There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

BeyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.

boundarynounUS /ˈbaʊn.də.ri/

A line that marks the limits of an area.

From this reading There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.

chalknounUS /tʃɔːk/

A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.

From this reading There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.

circle

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

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

court

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

From this reading Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.

croquet

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

From this reading There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.

desire

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

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

distinct

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

From this reading There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.

evening

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

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

firm

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

From this reading There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.

flower

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

From this reading Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.

French

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

fruit

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

From this reading Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.

garden

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

From this reading Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.

gardens

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

From this reading Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.

gazed

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

hand

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

held

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

hoops

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

From this reading There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

join

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

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

lawn

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

From this reading There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

Madame

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

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

man

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

mark

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

From this reading There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.

neatly

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

From this reading There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

notepaper

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

o'clock

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

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

peaceful

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

From this reading It was a very pleasant and very peaceful prospect.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a very pleasant and very peaceful prospect.

prospect

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

From this reading It was a very pleasant and very peaceful prospect.

sheet

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

smooth-shaven

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

From this reading There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.

SOGRANGE

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

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

ten

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

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

tennis

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

From this reading Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

There

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

From this reading There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

Thursday

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

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.

up

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading There was his croquet lawn, smooth-shaven, the hoops neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm and distinct upon the boundary.

very

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

From this reading It was a very pleasant and very peaceful prospect.

walled

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

From this reading Beyond, the tennis court, the flower gardens, and to the left the walled fruit garden.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

windows

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

From this reading The man looked up from the sheet of notepaper which he held in his hand, and gazed through the open French windows before which he was standing.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "_It is the desire of Madame that you should join our circle here on Thursday evening next, at ten o'clock._--SOGRANGE."