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An Undivided Union
An Undivided Union

Chapter XXX

Cover illustration for An Undivided Union
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
"Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.
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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.

An Undivided Union

Chapter XXX

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.
Line 2
He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.
Line 3
It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.
Line 4
Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.
Line 5
"Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.”

Determined adjective US /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading “"Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “"Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.”

All words in this reading · 91

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 MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

affairs

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

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

Artie

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

astonishment

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

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

attack

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

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

barrel

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

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

breast

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

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

brothers

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

brush

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.

changed

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

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

close

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

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

command

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

From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.

confessed

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

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

conversation

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

cove

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

Deck

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

deprived

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.

dreaming

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

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

dropped

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

easily

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

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

enabled

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

escaping

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

hand

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

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

Handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

head

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

hollow

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

just

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

keep

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

low

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

From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.

LYON

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

MAJOR

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

man

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

mouth

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

From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

nature

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

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

pistol

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

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

pointed

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

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

PROPOSAL

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

quarters

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

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

reached

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

recover

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

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

REJECTS

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

rock

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

shut

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

From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.

small

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

straight

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

From this reading Before he could recover from his astonishment over the changed nature of affairs, he found the barrel of the weapon pointed straight for his breast.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It must be confessed that the major was not dreaming of an attack at such close quarters, and the pistol left his hand easily.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

there

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

From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

thus

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

two

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

up

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

From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

water

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

weapon

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

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He had dropped into the water just as Deck and Artie reached the cove, and a small hollow under the rock had enabled him to keep his head above water and hear the conversation which passed between the two brothers.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading MAJOR LYON REJECTS A PROPOSAL The man who had thus suddenly deprived Major Deck Lyon of his weapon was the same who had been escaping through the brush.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Hands up there, and keep your mouth shut," was the low but determined command.