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. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
accosted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
all
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From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
American
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From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
B
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From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
bar
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From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
barber
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From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
bespoke
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From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
breakfast
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From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
business
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From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
cigar
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From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
city
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From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
Coulson
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From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
customary
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From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
day
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From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
digestion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
down
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From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
earlier
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From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
eleven
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From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
Englishman
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From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
entered
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From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
Hotel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
hours
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From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
inoffensive
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From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
James
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
luncheon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
newspaper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
ones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
prolonged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
room
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From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
Savoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
sixthnounUS /sixth/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
stay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
unimpaired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading From that time until seven, he was generally to be found in the American bar, meeting old friends or making new ones.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
varying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
waiter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At about eleven o’clock he went down to the city, and returned sometimes to luncheon, sometimes at varying hours, never later, however, than four or five o’clock.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mr. James B. Coulson settled down to live what was, to all appearance, a very inoffensive and ordinary life.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He rose a little earlier than was customary for an Englishman of business of his own standing, but he made up for this by a somewhat prolonged visit to the barber, a breakfast which bespoke an unimpaired digestion, and a cigar of more than ordinary length over his newspaper.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading On the sixth day of his stay at the Savoy Hotel the waiter who looked after the bar smoking room accosted him as he entered at his usual time, a little after half past four.
