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Uncle Bernac: A Memory of the Empire
Uncle Bernac: A Memory of the Empire

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for Uncle Bernac: A Memory of the Empire
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Uncle Bernac: A Memory of the Empire

Chapter VI

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
Line 2
The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
Line 3
Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
Line 4
For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
Line 5
Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.”

Amongst preposition US /əˈmʌŋst/

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading “Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.”

Brisk adjective US /brɪsk/

energetic and quick

From this reading “Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.”

Bundle noun US /ˈbʌndəl/

a group of things tied or wrapped together

From this reading “For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.”

PASSAGE noun US /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading “THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.”

SECRET noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

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

From this reading “For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.”

Terrible noun US /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading “For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.”

All words in this reading · 111

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 SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

affairs

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

From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.

all

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

arm

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

assured

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

blew

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

briskadjectiveUS /brɪsk/

energetic and quick

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/

a group of things tied or wrapped together

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

came

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

From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.

clammy

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

From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.

cold

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

From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.

companion

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

cottage

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

discussion

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

From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.

down

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

drifting

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

From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.

elders

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

From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.

England

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

From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.

evident

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

experiences

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

familiar

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

From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.

fire

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

forlorn

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

France

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

From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.

guided

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

heard

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

From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

home-coming

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

ill-omened

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

invisible

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

jangled

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

lamp

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

landed

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

landmarks

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

loss

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

lost

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

miserable

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

much

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

nerves

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

occurred

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

out

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

paces

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

PASSAGEnounUS /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

perfectly

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From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.

political

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From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.

rain

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

From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.

received

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

sea

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

From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.

SECRETnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

side

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

sight

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

singular

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

smouldered

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

softened

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

From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.

state

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From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

taken

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

ten

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

trudged

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

turning

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

up

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

From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

walked

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

welcome

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

wet

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

From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.

Young

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

From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.