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The Seven Secrets
The Seven Secrets

Chapter XV

Cover illustration for The Seven Secrets
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I AM CALLED FOR CONSULTATION.
The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.
"I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.
"The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.
Did you overhear her in the next room?"
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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 Seven Secrets

Chapter XV

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I AM CALLED FOR CONSULTATION.
Line 2
The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.
Line 3
"I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.
Line 4
"The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.
Line 5
Did you overhear her in the next room?"

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “"I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “"I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “"I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Did you overhear her in the next room?"”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “"The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “"The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.”

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 The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

AMauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I AM CALLED FOR CONSULTATION.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

anxious

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

ashen

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

CALLED

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

From this reading I AM CALLED FOR CONSULTATION.

certainly

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

certificate

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

chief

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

consult

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

CONSULTATION

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

From this reading I AM CALLED FOR CONSULTATION.

Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Did you overhear her in the next room?"

down

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

entered

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

evidence

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

excitement

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

explained

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

face

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

few

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

flushed

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I AM CALLED FOR CONSULTATION.

greeting

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

grey

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I AM CALLED FOR CONSULTATION.

I've

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Did you overhear her in the next room?"

incident

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

inquiring

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

insanity

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

later

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

lunatic

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

minutes

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Did you overhear her in the next room?"

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

overhear

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

From this reading Did you overhear her in the next room?"

people

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

place

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

present

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

puzzling

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

restraint

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

room

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

From this reading Did you overhear her in the next room?"

sign

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

study

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

sufficient

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

there

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

trouble

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

usually

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

why

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

From this reading "I've been having trouble with a lunatic," he explained, after greeting me, and inquiring why I had come down to consult him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The incident was certainly a puzzling one, for when, a few minutes later, my chief entered the study, his face, usually ashen grey, was flushed with excitement.

woman's

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

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading "The woman's people are anxious to place her under restraint; yet, for the present, there is not quite sufficient evidence of insanity to sign the certificate.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Did you overhear her in the next room?"