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The hope of happiness
The hope of happiness

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for The hope of happiness
Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.
“Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.
He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.
“Mr. Mills is a curious person,” Constance went on.
“He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”
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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 hope of happiness

Chapter VI

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.
Line 2
“Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.
Line 3
He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.
Line 4
“Mr. Mills is a curious person,” Constance went on.
Line 5
“He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

Learner Dictionary

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

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!””

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading ““That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading ““He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!””

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading ““He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!””

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Mr. Mills is a curious person,” Constance went on.”

All words in this reading · 72

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 “Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.

afraid

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

From this reading He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.

angry

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

From this reading He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.

annoyed

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

From this reading He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.

back

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

From this reading “Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.

betray

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

From this reading He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.

Bruce

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

From this reading “That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.

can't

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

carries

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

case

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

From this reading “Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.

cigarette

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

From this reading “Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.

Constance

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

From this reading “Mr. Mills is a curious person,” Constance went on.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.

curious

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

From this reading “Mr. Mills is a curious person,” Constance went on.

fathers

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

From this reading “That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.

find

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

formal

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

four

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.

garden

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

happens

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

From this reading “That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.

high

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading “Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.

ignore

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Mr. Mills is a curious person,” Constance went on.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.

key

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

learned

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

like

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

lives

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

lock

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

man

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.

Mills

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

From this reading “Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.

Mr

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

From this reading “Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “Mr. Mills is a curious person,” Constance went on.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

paused

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

From this reading “Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.

perplexed

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

From this reading He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.

person

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

From this reading “Mr. Mills is a curious person,” Constance went on.

prison-house

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

prisoner

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

put

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

From this reading “Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.

roar

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

seems

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

sides

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

some

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

From this reading He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.

sons

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

From this reading “That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “That happens, of course, between fathers and sons,” Bruce replied.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Mills----” He paused, took a cigarette from his case and put it back.

turns

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

From this reading He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.

walls

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.

way

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

From this reading He was by turns perplexed, annoyed, angry and afraid--afraid that he might in some way betray himself.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Mills is a curious person,” Constance went on.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”

world

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

From this reading “He seems to me like a man who lives alone in a formal garden with high walls on four sides and has learned to ignore the roar of the world outside--a prisoner who carries the key of his prison-house but can’t find the lock!”