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A Mating in the Wilds
A Mating in the Wilds

Chapter I

Cover illustration for A Mating in the Wilds
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was near midnight, but far from dark.
In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.
Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.
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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.

A Mating in the Wilds

Chapter I

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

Line 1
It was near midnight, but far from dark.
Line 2
In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.
Line 3
Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
Line 4
And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
Line 5
He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.

Learner Dictionary

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

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.”

Smoking noun US /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading “He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.”

Thin adjective US /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading “Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.”

All words in this reading · 74

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 In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.

absorbed

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

From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.

afforded

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

bosom

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.

came

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

canvas

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

catch

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

chirping

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

clear

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

From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.

coming

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

cry

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

dark

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

From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.

face

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

From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.

far

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

From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.

finny

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

fire

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.

glow

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

From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.

heavens

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

From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

howl

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

Hubert

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.

inside

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

just

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

like

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.

loon

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

midnight

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

From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.

mocking

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

mosquitoes

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

near

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

From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.

northern

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

From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.

prey

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

proclaimed

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

From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.

promised

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

protection

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

pursuing

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

river

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

robin

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

rosy

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

From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.

sitting

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

smoke

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

Somewhere

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

Stane

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

sun

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

From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.

tent

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.

thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

thoughts

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

From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.

visitor

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

waited

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.

watched

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

From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.

wide

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

willows

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.

wolf

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

From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.