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Desperate Remedies
Desperate Remedies

Chapter XXXIX

Cover illustration for Desperate Remedies
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.
Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.
‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.
When the bones had all been thrown, I threw the keys; last of all I threw the watch.
‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.
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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.

Desperate Remedies

Chapter XXXIX

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.
Line 2
Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.
Line 3
‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.
Line 4
When the bones had all been thrown, I threw the keys; last of all I threw the watch.
Line 5
‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

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 “When the bones had all been thrown, I threw the keys; last of all I threw the watch.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When the bones had all been thrown, I threw the keys; last of all I threw the watch.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading “‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.”

Smoking noun US /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading “‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.”

All words in this reading · 68

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

all

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

From this reading When the bones had all been thrown, I threw the keys; last of all I threw the watch.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

bed

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

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading When the bones had all been thrown, I threw the keys; last of all I threw the watch.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

bones

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

From this reading ‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.

break

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

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading ‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.

couch

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.

crossed

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

dawn

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

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

embers

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

From this reading ‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.

four

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

From this reading Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.

gone

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

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

got

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading When the bones had all been thrown, I threw the keys; last of all I threw the watch.

hand

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

heads

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

From this reading Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.

heap

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

hedge

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

From this reading Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.

home

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

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

inn

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading ‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.

just

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

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

Keeping

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

From this reading Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.

keys

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

From this reading When the bones had all been thrown, I threw the keys; last of all I threw the watch.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When the bones had all been thrown, I threw the keys; last of all I threw the watch.

men

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

From this reading Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.

men's

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

From this reading ‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.

more

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

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.

once

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

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading ‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.

place

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

From this reading ‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

road

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

round

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

see

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

From this reading Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.

smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading ‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.

smouldering

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

spot

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

From this reading Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.

StandingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading ‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

Taking

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

then

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

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading ‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.

three

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

From this reading Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.

threw

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

From this reading ‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.

thrown

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

From this reading When the bones had all been thrown, I threw the keys; last of all I threw the watch.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘Standing in this place I took the bones, and threw them one by one over the hedge and over the men’s heads into the smoking embers.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

watch

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

From this reading When the bones had all been thrown, I threw the keys; last of all I threw the watch.

watched

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

From this reading Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘I then returned home as I had gone, and went to bed once more, just as the dawn began to break.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When the bones had all been thrown, I threw the keys; last of all I threw the watch.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading ‘Taking them in my hand, I crossed the road, and got round behind the inn, where the couch heap was still smouldering.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Keeping behind the hedge, I could see the heads of the three or four men who watched the spot.