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The Three Brothers
The Three Brothers

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for The Three Brothers
Context Illustration Reading 1/50 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BEN’S REWARD.
When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.
He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.
And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.
The shock had been so great that Ben’s mind for the moment had reeled under it.
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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 Three Brothers

Chapter IX

Reading 1/50 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BEN’S REWARD.
Line 2
When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.
Line 3
He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.
Line 4
And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.
Line 5
The shock had been so great that Ben’s mind for the moment had reeled under it.

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 “And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The shock had been so great that Ben’s mind for the moment had reeled under it.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.”

Reeled verb US /riːld/

moved unsteadily as if about to fall

From this reading “The shock had been so great that Ben’s mind for the moment had reeled under it.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.”

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “The shock had been so great that Ben’s mind for the moment had reeled under it.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

arrested

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

bar

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

Ben

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

BEN'S

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

From this reading BEN’S REWARD.

better

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

condition

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

decide

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

From this reading He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.

describe

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

difficult

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

finer

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The shock had been so great that Ben’s mind for the moment had reeled under it.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The shock had been so great that Ben’s mind for the moment had reeled under it.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.

high

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

judgment

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

letter

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.

love

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

loved

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

man

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

meet

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

moment

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

Mrs

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

placed

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

put

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

received

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

reeledverbUS /riːld/

moved unsteadily as if about to fall

From this reading The shock had been so great that Ben’s mind for the moment had reeled under it.

REWARD

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

From this reading BEN’S REWARD.

severest

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

shock

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

From this reading The shock had been so great that Ben’s mind for the moment had reeled under it.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The shock had been so great that Ben’s mind for the moment had reeled under it.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

taken

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

From this reading He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.

taking

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

test

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The shock had been so great that Ben’s mind for the moment had reeled under it.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.

tide

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

Tracy's

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The shock had been so great that Ben’s mind for the moment had reeled under it.

very

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.

whole

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

From this reading He had taken, as he thought, a step which would decide his whole life.

woman

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

From this reading And even in the moment of taking it he had been put to the severest test which a man can meet;--his love had been suddenly arrested in its high tide, and the woman he loved placed, as it were, at the bar before his better judgment, his finer taste.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading When Ben received Mrs. Tracy’s letter his mind was in a condition which it would be very difficult to describe.