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The Patrician
The Patrician

Chapter IV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.
With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.
His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.
Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.
She recognized in him the purposeful austerity which had somehow been omitted from the composition of her daughter.
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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 Patrician

Chapter IV

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.
Line 2
With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.
Line 3
His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.
Line 4
Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.
Line 5
She recognized in him the purposeful austerity which had somehow been omitted from the composition of her daughter.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

afraid

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

always

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

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

austerity

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

From this reading She recognized in him the purposeful austerity which had somehow been omitted from the composition of her daughter.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

capable

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

Cardoc

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

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

Casterley's

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

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

child

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

From this reading With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.

Clifton

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

From this reading With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.

composition

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

From this reading She recognized in him the purposeful austerity which had somehow been omitted from the composition of her daughter.

confession

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

daughter

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

From this reading She recognized in him the purposeful austerity which had somehow been omitted from the composition of her daughter.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

discovered

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

early

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

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

enduring

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

Eustace

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

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

exception

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

From this reading With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.

existence

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

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

favourite

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

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

finding

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

friend

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

From this reading With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She recognized in him the purposeful austerity which had somehow been omitted from the composition of her daughter.

governesses

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

grandchild

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

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

grandmother's

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

From this reading With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading She recognized in him the purposeful austerity which had somehow been omitted from the composition of her daughter.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

intimate

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

From this reading With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.

Lady

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

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

lived

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

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

lonely

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

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

made

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

From this reading With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.

majordomo

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

From this reading With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.

Miltoun

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

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

Much

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

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

nurses

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

omitted

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

From this reading She recognized in him the purposeful austerity which had somehow been omitted from the composition of her daughter.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

own

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

pain

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

peculiarities

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

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

purposeful

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

From this reading She recognized in him the purposeful austerity which had somehow been omitted from the composition of her daughter.

pushing

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

Ravensham

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

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

recognized

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

From this reading She recognized in him the purposeful austerity which had somehow been omitted from the composition of her daughter.

seriousness

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She recognized in him the purposeful austerity which had somehow been omitted from the composition of her daughter.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

small

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

From this reading With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.

somehow

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

From this reading She recognized in him the purposeful austerity which had somehow been omitted from the composition of her daughter.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

things

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

too

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

tutors

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

unnecessary

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

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

very

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

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

Viscount

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

From this reading Eustace Cardoc, Viscount Miltoun, had lived a very lonely life, since he first began to understand the peculiarities of existence.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Much of that early time was passed at Ravensham, for he had always been Lady Casterley's favourite grandchild.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading She recognized in him the purposeful austerity which had somehow been omitted from the composition of her daughter.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading His nurses, governesses, tutors, by their own confession did not understand him, finding that he took himself with unnecessary seriousness; a little afraid, too, of one whom they discovered to be capable of pushing things to the point of enduring pain in silence.

WithprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading With the exception of Clifton, his grandmother's 'majordomo,' he made, as a small child, no intimate friend.