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Back to Billabong
Back to Billabong

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for Back to Billabong
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.
The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.
The garden flamed with dahlias and asters, amidst which Hogg worked contentedly.
And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.
Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.
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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.

Back to Billabong

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.
Line 2
The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.
Line 3
The garden flamed with dahlias and asters, amidst which Hogg worked contentedly.
Line 4
And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.
Line 5
Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.

Learner Dictionary

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

AGAIN noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.”

Amidst preposition US /əˈmɪdst/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading “The garden flamed with dahlias and asters, amidst which Hogg worked contentedly.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.”

All words in this reading · 78

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AGAINnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

amidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading The garden flamed with dahlias and asters, amidst which Hogg worked contentedly.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

asters

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

From this reading The garden flamed with dahlias and asters, amidst which Hogg worked contentedly.

autumn

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

away

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

From this reading Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.

BeyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.

Billabong

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

broad

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

bronze

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

BUILDING

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

content

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

contentedly

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

From this reading The garden flamed with dahlias and asters, amidst which Hogg worked contentedly.

dahlias

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

From this reading The garden flamed with dahlias and asters, amidst which Hogg worked contentedly.

David

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

dotted

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

From this reading Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.

down

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

elm

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

evening

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

exquisite

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

face

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

feeding

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

From this reading Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.

flamed

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

From this reading The garden flamed with dahlias and asters, amidst which Hogg worked contentedly.

fluttered

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

further

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

From this reading Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.

garden

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

From this reading The garden flamed with dahlias and asters, amidst which Hogg worked contentedly.

gleamed

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

From this reading Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.

green

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

Hogg

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

From this reading The garden flamed with dahlias and asters, amidst which Hogg worked contentedly.

home

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

lagoon

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

From this reading Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.

later

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

lawn

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

lay

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

lazily

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

leaves

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

Linton

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

months

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

oak

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

orchard

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

paddocks

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

From this reading Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.

peace

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

pine

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

reed-fringed

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

From this reading Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.

setting

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

Shorthorns

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

From this reading Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.

showed

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

steps

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

stone

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

stretched

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

From this reading Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.

sun

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

there

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

three

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

trees

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

UP

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

utter

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

From this reading And there was utter content upon the face of David Linton, as he stood on the broad stone steps of his home, and looked towards the setting sun.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading BUILDING UP AGAIN It was three months later, and Billabong lay in the peace of an exquisite autumn evening.

waters

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

From this reading Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The garden flamed with dahlias and asters, amidst which Hogg worked contentedly.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The garden flamed with dahlias and asters, amidst which Hogg worked contentedly.

worked

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

From this reading The garden flamed with dahlias and asters, amidst which Hogg worked contentedly.

yellow

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

From this reading The orchard showed yellow and bronze against the green of the pine trees; here and there oak and elm leaves fluttered down lazily upon the lawn.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Beyond the garden gleamed the reed-fringed waters of the lagoon; further yet, the broad paddocks stretched away, dotted with feeding Shorthorns.