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The Survivor
The Survivor

Chapter I

Cover illustration for The Survivor
Context Illustration Reading 1/39 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
A man of few words but much piety.
After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.
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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 Survivor

Chapter I

Reading 1/39 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.
Line 2
One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.
Line 3
First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.
Line 4
A man of few words but much piety.
Line 5
After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

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 “After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.”

Chilly adjective US /ˈtʃɪli/

unpleasantly cold

From this reading “The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.”

Faithful noun US /ˈfaithful/

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

From this reading “After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.”

Save preposition US /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading “The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.”

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 The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

agent

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

all

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

almost

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

became

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

Bull

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A man of few words but much piety.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

came

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

chairs

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

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

chapel

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/

unpleasantly cold

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

comfortless

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

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

consequence

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

Cumberland

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

days

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

deacon

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

dignity

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

discomfort

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

district

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

Earl

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

elder

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

factor

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

faithfulnounUS /ˈfaithful/

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

farmhouse

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

few

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

From this reading A man of few words but much piety.

FirstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

forefinger

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

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

funereal

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

Gideon

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

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

gloom

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

grave

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

hesitation

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

horse-hair

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

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

John

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

lowlier

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

Magee

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

man

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

master's

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

movements

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

much

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

From this reading A man of few words but much piety.

mustiness

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

obeyed

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

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

occasions

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

parlour

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

person

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

pierce

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

piety

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

From this reading A man of few words but much piety.

ponderous

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

room

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

savoured

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

seats

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

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

servant

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

seventh

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

shepherd

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

six

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

slow

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

sofa

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

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

some

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

state

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

station

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

stern

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

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

Strong

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

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

sunlight

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading First came John Magee, factor and agent to the Earl of Cumberland, a great man in the district, deacon of the chapel, slow and ponderous in his movements.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One by one they obeyed the stern forefinger of Gideon Strong, and took their seats on comfortless chairs and the horse-hair sofa.

unused

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

week

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The room had all the chilly discomfort of the farmhouse parlour, unused, save on state occasions--a funereal gloom which no sunlight could pierce, a mustiness which savoured almost of the grave.

William

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

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading After him, with some hesitation as became his lowlier station, came William Bull, six days in the week his master's shepherd and faithful servant, but on the seventh an elder of the chapel, a person of consequence and dignity.

words

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

From this reading A man of few words but much piety.