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Across Texas
Across Texas

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for Across Texas
Context Illustration Reading 1/14 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AN ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY.
HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.
Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.
The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.
He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.
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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.

Across Texas

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/14 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AN ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY.
Line 2
HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.
Line 3
Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.
Line 4
The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.
Line 5
He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

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 “HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.”

Camp noun US /camp/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.”

Resting noun US /ˈresting/

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

From this reading “He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.”

All words in this reading · 92

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 Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

all

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

almost

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

ANdeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading AN ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

ASTOUNDING

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

From this reading AN ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

Backed

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

blankets

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

blaze

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

bowlder

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

came

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

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.

camp

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

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.

capable

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

close

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

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.

cold

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

comfortably

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

coming

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

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.

deal

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

diffused

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

directions

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

DISCOVERY

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

From this reading AN ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

expected

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

failed

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

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.

fanned

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

find

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

fire

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

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

force

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

hand

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

HERBERT

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

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

kind

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

low

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

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

mild

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

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

near

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

Nick

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

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.

norther

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

noticed

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

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

out

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

protected

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

restingnounUS /ˈresting/

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

see

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

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.

show

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

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

shutting

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

sinking

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

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

smouldering

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

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

some

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

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

spring

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

surprise

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

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.

swathed

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

thick

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

warmth

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

way

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

well

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

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HERBERT noticed, as he went forward, that the fire was sinking so low as to show that it had not been looked after for some time.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading He expected to find him resting comfortably near at hand, swathed in one of the thick blankets capable of shutting out every kind of cold except that of a norther, which will force its way through almost anything.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Backed against a bowlder near the spring, it was well protected from the wind, but had been fanned into a blaze that must have diffused a good deal of warmth in all directions.

youth

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

From this reading The first mild surprise came to the youth when, on coming close to the smouldering camp fire, he failed to see Nick.