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

Chapter XXIII

Cover illustration for The Dumpling
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE MANTLE OF NAPOLEON.
"'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.
I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.
But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.
London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Dumpling

Chapter XXIII

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE MANTLE OF NAPOLEON.
Line 2
"'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.
Line 3
I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.
Line 4
But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.
Line 5
London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

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 “I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.”

MANTLE noun US /ˈmæntəl/

a loose covering like a cloak

From this reading “THE MANTLE OF NAPOLEON.”

Ours pronoun US /ˈaʊərz/

the one or ones belonging to us

From this reading “London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “"'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.”

All words in this reading · 91

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 "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

abduction

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

absolute

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

actual

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

admit

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.

assured

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.

came

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

campaign

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

carry

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

chance

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

contrary

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

cost

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

dear

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

From this reading But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.

devilish

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

disappearance

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.

don't

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

From this reading But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.

Dumpling

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

end

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

evening

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

fact

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

goes

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

halves

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

From this reading But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

hundred

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

King

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

King's

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.

laugh

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

laying

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

leaks

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

London

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

MANTLEnounUS /ˈmæntəl/

a loose covering like a cloak

From this reading THE MANTLE OF NAPOLEON.

mapped

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

master-stroke

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

much

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.

NAPOLEON

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

From this reading THE MANTLE OF NAPOLEON.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE MANTLE OF NAPOLEON.

off

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

ourspronounUS /ˈaʊərz/

the one or ones belonging to us

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

out

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

planned

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

plans

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

possible

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

practically

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

prepared

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

Rissler

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

From this reading But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.

safe

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

said

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

stroll

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE MANTLE OF NAPOLEON.

things

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

From this reading But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.

times

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

to-morrow

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

triumph

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

trustful

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

unattended

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

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

victory

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

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading I admit that it cost us much laying of plans, and that we had mapped out, and prepared for the abduction, half a hundred times before the actual chance came which it was safe to take.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading London is practically in my hands, and when the fact of the King's disappearance leaks out, and we carry out the master-stroke which is planned to come off to-morrow, the campaign will practically be at an end, and victory, absolute and assured, be ours.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "'On the contrary,' said the Dumpling, with a short laugh of devilish triumph, 'on the contrary, it is quite possible with a King so trustful that he goes out for an evening stroll unattended.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But, as you know, my dear Rissler, I don't do things by halves.