Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Ways of Life: Two Stories
The Ways of Life: Two Stories

Chapter III

Cover illustration for The Ways of Life: Two Stories
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.
It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.
Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.
Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.
It was not the cloud, but it was a sort of _avant-coureur_ of the cloud, like the chill little momentary breath which sometimes heralds a storm.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Ways of Life: Two Stories

Chapter III

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.
Line 2
It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.
Line 3
Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.
Line 4
Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.
Line 5
It was not the cloud, but it was a sort of _avant-coureur_ of the cloud, like the chill little momentary breath which sometimes heralds a storm.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was not the cloud, but it was a sort of _avant-coureur_ of the cloud, like the chill little momentary breath which sometimes heralds a storm.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.”

All words in this reading · 91

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 About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

any

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

arose

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

artist's

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

avant-coureur

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

From this reading It was not the cloud, but it was a sort of _avant-coureur_ of the cloud, like the chill little momentary breath which sometimes heralds a storm.

away

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

bigger

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

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

blue

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

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

breath

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

From this reading It was not the cloud, but it was a sort of _avant-coureur_ of the cloud, like the chill little momentary breath which sometimes heralds a storm.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

carried

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

chill

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

From this reading It was not the cloud, but it was a sort of _avant-coureur_ of the cloud, like the chill little momentary breath which sometimes heralds a storm.

cloud

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

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

commission

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

cup

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

daughters

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

day

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

distinct

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

faintest

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

film

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

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

giving

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

hand

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

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

heralds

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

From this reading It was not the cloud, but it was a sort of _avant-coureur_ of the cloud, like the chill little momentary breath which sometimes heralds a storm.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

later

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

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

like

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

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

Lord

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

man's

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

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

mere

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

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

momentary

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

From this reading It was not the cloud, but it was a sort of _avant-coureur_ of the cloud, like the chill little momentary breath which sometimes heralds a storm.

Mr

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

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

NotadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

Okeham

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

out

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

Perhaps

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

personages

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

purpose

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

result

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

rose

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

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

Sandford's

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

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

shade

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

sky

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

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

sometimes

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

From this reading It was not the cloud, but it was a sort of _avant-coureur_ of the cloud, like the chill little momentary breath which sometimes heralds a storm.

sort

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

From this reading It was not the cloud, but it was a sort of _avant-coureur_ of the cloud, like the chill little momentary breath which sometimes heralds a storm.

storm

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

From this reading It was not the cloud, but it was a sort of _avant-coureur_ of the cloud, like the chill little momentary breath which sometimes heralds a storm.

studio

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

supposed

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

taking

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

tea

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

there

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

up

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

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading About the same time, or a little later, another shadow rose up upon Mr. Sandford’s life.

very

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

visit

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

visited

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

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was like the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand, like a mere film upon the blue sky at first.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading It was not the cloud, but it was a sort of _avant-coureur_ of the cloud, like the chill little momentary breath which sometimes heralds a storm.

wife

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

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Not that great personages had not come before with the same result; but that this time there had been supposed to be a distinct purpose in his visit beyond that of taking a cup of tea with the artist’s wife and daughters--and this purpose had not been carried out.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Perhaps the very first appearance of it--the faintest shadow of a shade upon the blue--arose on that day when Lord Okeham visited the studio and went away without giving any commission.