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

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for The Gay Triangle
Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
For the most part, the country was dry.
Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.
Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.
In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.
"I want to see Mr Erckmann; is he at home?"
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 Gay Triangle

Chapter VI

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
For the most part, the country was dry.
Line 2
Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.
Line 3
Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.
Line 4
In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.
Line 5
"I want to see Mr Erckmann; is he at home?"

Learner Dictionary

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

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.”

Beside preposition US /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading “Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.”

Burn verb US /bɜːrn/

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading “Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.”

Formidable adjective US /ˈfɔːrmɪdəbəl/

very difficult to deal with or overcome

From this reading “Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For the most part, the country was dry.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.”

All words in this reading · 73

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 Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

barbed

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

barrier

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

BelowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

blank

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

bottom

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

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

bridge

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

brook

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

building

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

burnverbUS /bɜːrn/

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

country

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

From this reading For the most part, the country was dry.

crossed

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

Descending

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

door

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

dry

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

From this reading For the most part, the country was dry.

Erckmann

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

From this reading "I want to see Mr Erckmann; is he at home?"

evidently

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the most part, the country was dry.

foreigner

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmɪdəbəl/

very difficult to deal with or overcome

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

gateway

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "I want to see Mr Erckmann; is he at home?"

high

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

hill

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

home

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

From this reading "I want to see Mr Erckmann; is he at home?"

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I want to see Mr Erckmann; is he at home?"

ill-favoured

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

individual

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

iron

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "I want to see Mr Erckmann; is he at home?"

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

knock

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

most

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

From this reading For the most part, the country was dry.

Mr

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

From this reading "I want to see Mr Erckmann; is he at home?"

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

only

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

opened

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For the most part, the country was dry.

Renstoke's

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

response

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

rippling

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

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

see

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

shallow

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

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

soon

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

stared

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

stone

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

surmounted

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

surprise

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

surrounded

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading For the most part, the country was dry.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

tiny

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

valley

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

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

wall

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

From this reading Descending the hill they crossed the brook and soon found themselves at a tiny bridge beside the only gateway they could see in the high stone wall, surmounted by a formidable barrier of barbed iron, which surrounded the building.

want

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

From this reading "I want to see Mr Erckmann; is he at home?"

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading For the most part, the country was dry.

way

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

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading In response to Renstoke's knock the door was opened by an ill-favoured individual, evidently a foreigner, who stared at them in blank surprise.

wound

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

From this reading Below them, however, was a shallow valley, along the bottom of which a rippling burn wound its way.