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Whoso Findeth a Wife
Whoso Findeth a Wife

Chapter V

Cover illustration for Whoso Findeth a Wife
Context Illustration Reading 1/81 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
"Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
"The idea of war against us is absolutely absurd.
You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.
0:00 / 0:00
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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.

Whoso Findeth a Wife

Chapter V

Reading 1/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!
Line 2
Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.
Line 3
"Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.
Line 4
"The idea of war against us is absolutely absurd.
Line 5
You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “"Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “"Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.”

Beside preposition US /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading “"Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “"Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading “"Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

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

From this reading “Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

absolutely

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

From this reading "The idea of war against us is absolutely absurd.

absurd

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

actually

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

From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

AgainnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!

amazing

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

broke

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

From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

case

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

From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.

chair

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

copies

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

cry

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

dear

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

From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!

devoured

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

distinct

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

From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!

eagerly

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

Ella

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

England

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

From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!

excitement

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

exclaimed

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

exorbitant

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

feet

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

few

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

followed

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

Foreign

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

From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

got

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

hoarse

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

From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!

hold

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

houses

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

hurrying

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

idea

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

From this reading "The idea of war against us is absolutely absurd.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "The idea of war against us is absolutely absurd.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

known

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

From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.

later

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

moments

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

news

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

Office

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

From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.

ominous

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

From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!

paper

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

papers

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

people

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

prices

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

purchased

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

rushed

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

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

From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!

some

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

sound

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

Spe-shall

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

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

story

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.

Surely

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Spe-shall!" his cry being followed by the sound of hurrying feet as people rushed from their houses, purchased copies of the paper at exorbitant prices, and eagerly devoured the amazing news.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "The idea of war against us is absolutely absurd.

voice

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

From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!

War

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

From this reading Again the hoarse voice broke the silence, dear, distinct, ominous,-- "War against England!

watching

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

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "Surely it must be some absurd story that the papers have got hold of," Ella exclaimed a few moments later, when, after again watching the excitement below, she returned and stood beside my chair.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You Foreign Office people would have known if such were actually the case.