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A Mating in the Wilds
A Mating in the Wilds

Chapter XXIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/52 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.
The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.
For a moment there was silence, then Anderton spoke.
"Would you like to hear Chigmok's story, Ainley?"
"There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.
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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 XXIII

Reading 1/52 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.
Line 2
The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.
Line 3
For a moment there was silence, then Anderton spoke.
Line 4
"Would you like to hear Chigmok's story, Ainley?"
Line 5
"There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.

Learner Dictionary

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

Answered noun US /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading “"There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Would you like to hear Chigmok's story, Ainley?"”

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

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

From this reading “The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

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

From this reading “For a moment there was silence, then Anderton spoke.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “"Would you like to hear Chigmok's story, Ainley?"”

All words in this reading · 83

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 TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

Ainley

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

all

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

also

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

Anderton

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

From this reading For a moment there was silence, then Anderton spoke.

answerednounUS /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading "There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

bitter

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

From this reading "There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

Chigmok's

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

From this reading "Would you like to hear Chigmok's story, Ainley?"

downfall

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

evil

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

eyes

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

face

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

find

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

fire

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a moment there was silence, then Anderton spoke.

fro

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

full

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

further

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

hate

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Would you like to hear Chigmok's story, Ainley?"

Helen

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

hopeless

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

From this reading "There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

kill

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

known

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

laugh

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

From this reading "There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.

lifted

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

like

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

From this reading "Would you like to hear Chigmok's story, Ainley?"

man

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

moment

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

From this reading For a moment there was silence, then Anderton spoke.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading "There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

others

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

PARADISE

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

restlessly

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

sat

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

seated

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

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

From this reading For a moment there was silence, then Anderton spoke.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

spoke

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

From this reading For a moment there was silence, then Anderton spoke.

staring

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

story

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

From this reading "Would you like to hear Chigmok's story, Ainley?"

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "There is no need that I should," answered Ainley with a bitter, hopeless laugh.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

then

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

From this reading For a moment there was silence, then Anderton spoke.

there

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

From this reading For a moment there was silence, then Anderton spoke.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

tool

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

tortured

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

TRAIL

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

tried

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

unable

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

used

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

walking

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

watching

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

well

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

white

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

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE TRAIL TO PARADISE When Ainley lifted a white, tortured face, it was to find the man whom he had used as a tool, and whom, having used, he had tried to kill, seated by the fire, staring at him with his evil eyes full of hate.

withdrawn

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

witness

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

wood

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

From this reading The others also sat watching him, all except Helen who had withdrawn to the shadow of the wood, and was walking restlessly to and fro, unable to witness further the downfall of a man whom she had known so well.

Wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading "Would you like to hear Chigmok's story, Ainley?"

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Would you like to hear Chigmok's story, Ainley?"