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A Prairie Courtship
A Prairie Courtship

Chapter XXVIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.
The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.
Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.
It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.
Thorne was in an unusually optimistic mood.
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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 Prairie Courtship

Chapter XXVIII

Reading 1/40 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.
Line 2
The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.
Line 3
Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.
Line 4
It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.
Line 5
Thorne was in an unusually optimistic mood.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.”

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.”

Bluff adjective US /blʌf/

direct and plain-spoken in manner, sometimes seeming rough

From this reading “THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.”

All words in this reading · 96

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 days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

accordance

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

air

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Thorne was in an unusually optimistic mood.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

any

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

arrived

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

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

blinked

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

BluffadjectiveUS /blʌf/

direct and plain-spoken in manner, sometimes seeming rough

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

chill

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

custom

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

dark

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

days

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

driven

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

drove

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

duly

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

early

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

evening

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

excuse

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

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

farmers

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

gather

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

generally

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

getting

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

Graham's

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

groups

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

harvest

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

hauled

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

late

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

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

light

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

load

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

loiterers

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

mail

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

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

met

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

mood

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

From this reading Thorne was in an unusually optimistic mood.

news

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

now

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

obligations

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

Odd

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

only

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

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

optimistic

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

From this reading Thorne was in an unusually optimistic mood.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

outlying

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

provisions

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

purchase

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

rapidly

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

RECKONING

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

relaxation

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

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

rutted

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

Saturday

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

Saturdays

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

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

shorter

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

sidewalk

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

store

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

street

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

strolled

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

supplementary

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

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

there

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

Thorne

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

From this reading Thorne was in an unusually optimistic mood.

Thorne's

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

unusually

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

From this reading Thorne was in an unusually optimistic mood.

usual

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

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

visit

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

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

wheat

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

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading THE RECKONING Thorne's last load of wheat had been hauled in, and he had duly met his obligations, when he drove into Graham's Bluff early one evening.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading It was about their only relaxation, and of late a supplementary mail arrived on Saturdays, which was another excuse for the visit.

window

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

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Odd groups of loiterers stood about the sidewalk or strolled along the rutted street, for it was Saturday evening, and now that harvest was generally over the outlying farmers had driven in to purchase provisions or to gather any news that might be had, in accordance with their usual custom.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading The days were rapidly getting shorter, and though it was not yet dark there was a chill in the air, and here and there a light blinked in the window of a store.