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Five Tales
Five Tales

Chapter VI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.
The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.
Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.
For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.
It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Five Tales

Chapter VI

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

Line 1
He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.
Line 2
The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.
Line 3
Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.
Line 4
For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.
Line 5
It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.”

Alone noun US /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.”

All words in this reading · 101

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 only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

able

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

afterwards

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

alonenounUS /alone/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

always

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

any

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

arms

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

From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

bowed

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

From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

breast

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

From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

brother

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

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

burned

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

burning

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

candle-light

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

From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

candles

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

centre

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

cheek

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

From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

chin

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

From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

conscious

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

cropped

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

From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

crossed

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

From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

days

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

earth

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

electric

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

expression

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

face

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

faintly

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

fairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

four

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

girl

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

gleaned

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

hair

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

From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

hours

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

kneeling

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

leaning

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

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

light

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

lighted

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

living

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

moment

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

neck

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

From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

nightgown

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

only

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

outlast

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

perhaps

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

profile

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

From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

records

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

room

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

saw

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

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

scene

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

seconds

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

see

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

shone

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

From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

sleeping

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

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

sometimes

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

suit

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

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

table

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

then

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

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

there

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

twenty

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

visions

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

visual

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

From this reading He only stood there perhaps twenty seconds, but visual records gleaned in a moment sometimes outlast the visions of hours and days.

wall

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

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

watched

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

watching

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

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The electric light was not burning; but, in the centre of the room the girl was kneeling in her nightgown before a little table on which were four lighted candles.

white

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From this reading Her arms were crossed on her breast; the candle-light shone on her fair cropped hair, on the profile of cheek and chin, on her bowed white neck.

whole

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

From this reading It was the expression on his face which burned the whole thing in, so that always afterwards he was able to see that little scene--such an expression as could never have been on the face of one even faintly conscious that he was watched by any living thing on earth.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading For a moment he thought her alone; then behind her saw his brother in a sleeping suit, leaning against the wall, with arms crossed, watching.