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A thoughtless seven
A thoughtless seven

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for A thoughtless seven
Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.
Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.
"He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.
"I know he is drowned!" wailed Honey.
"And it will be your doing!" said Pat severely.
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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 thoughtless seven

Chapter VII

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.
Line 2
Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.
Line 3
"He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.
Line 4
"I know he is drowned!" wailed Honey.
Line 5
"And it will be your doing!" said Pat severely.

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 “Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “"He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I know he is drowned!" wailed Honey.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “"He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.”

Remember verb US /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading “Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading “Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.”

Speak noun US /speak/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.”

All words in this reading · 71

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 Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

any

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "And it will be your doing!" said Pat severely.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

boys

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

day

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

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

disheartened

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

dissolved

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

doing

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

From this reading "And it will be your doing!" said Pat severely.

DON'T

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

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

drowned

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

From this reading "I know he is drowned!" wailed Honey.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

fishing-smack

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

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

Fräulein

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

helpless

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

Honey

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

hopefully

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

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

inconsolable

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "I know he is drowned!" wailed Honey.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I know he is drowned!" wailed Honey.

late

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

miserable

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

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

missing

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

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

more

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

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

night

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

nurse

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

out

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

Pat

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

From this reading "And it will be your doing!" said Pat severely.

perfectly

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

picked

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

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

Pixie

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

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

Praying

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

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

said

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

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

search

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

severely

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

From this reading "And it will be your doing!" said Pat severely.

some

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

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

speak

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

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

steamer

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

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

suggestions

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

tears

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

thoroughly

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

tired

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

trying

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

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

unsuccessful

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

up

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

From this reading "He may have been picked up by some steamer or fishing-smack," I said, trying to speak hopefully.

wailed

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

From this reading "I know he is drowned!" wailed Honey.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Praying I DON'T think I ever remember a more miserable day than it was after Pixie was missing.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Honey was inconsolable; the boys returned late at night, tired out, and thoroughly disheartened at their unsuccessful search; Fräulein and nurse were dissolved in tears, and both seemed perfectly helpless to make any suggestions.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "And it will be your doing!" said Pat severely.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "And it will be your doing!" said Pat severely.