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Anderson Crow, Detective
Anderson Crow, Detective

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for Anderson Crow, Detective
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
"Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
"What right have you got to interfere with my business?"
The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.
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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.

Anderson Crow, Detective

Chapter XI

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.
Line 2
He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.
Line 3
"Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.
Line 4
"What right have you got to interfere with my business?"
Line 5
The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"What right have you got to interfere with my business?"”

Strangely noun US /ˈstrangely/

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

From this reading “He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.”

Whither adverb US /ˈwɪðər/

an old word meaning “to where”

From this reading “Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.”

All words in this reading · 74

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 He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

Andy

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

From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.

back

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

became

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

business

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

From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.

cheek

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

counter

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

cutlery

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

demanded

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

From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.

emerged

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

evident

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

failed

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

From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.

fit

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

From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

Fox

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

Fryback

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

got

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

From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

hand

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

haste

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

hotly

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

From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

interfere

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

From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"

issue

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

From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

key

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

From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.

likely

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

lips

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

lock

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

From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.

Marshal's

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

From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

mistaken

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

Mrs

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

parted

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

From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.

prodigious

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

rather

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

From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.

recently

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

remain

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

repaired

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

retort

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

From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"

sharp

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

From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.

shouldn't

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

From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.

some

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

subsided

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

swelling

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain 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 Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

utter

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

From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.

very

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/

an old word meaning “to where”

From this reading Mr. Fryback emerged from behind the cutlery counter, whither he had repaired in some haste when it became evident that Mrs. Fox was likely to remain for some time.

Why

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

From this reading "Why shouldn't I fit a key to that lock, Andy?" he demanded, rather hotly.

wiping

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

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was wiping his lips with the back of his hand, and what very recently might have been mistaken for a prodigious swelling in his cheek had strangely subsided.

words

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

From this reading The Marshal's lips parted to utter a sharp retort, but the words failed to issue.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "What right have you got to interfere with my business?"