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 It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
address
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From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
advisable
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From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
advise
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From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
Agatha's
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From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
answering
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From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
arriving
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From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
awaiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
calling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
clear
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From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
COUNTRY
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From this reading THE OLD COUNTRY.
dale
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From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
delicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
down
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From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
earlier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
encircled
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From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
fells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
frothing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
Hastings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
Ismay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
lake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
mission
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
North
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
Northern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
obtaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
OLD
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From this reading THE OLD COUNTRY.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
Paris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
Rawlinson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
recognised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
ruchsack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
shortly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
shoulders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
stands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
stated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
stream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE OLD COUNTRY.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
towering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
unstrapping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
wait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had, however, already recognised that his mission was rather a delicate one, and he decided that it would be advisable to wait until he heard from Mrs. Hastings before calling upon Miss Ismay.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After answering it he started North, and, obtaining Agatha's address from Miss Rawlinson, went on again to a certain little town which stands encircled by towering fells beside a lake in the North Country.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading On arriving in London a week or two earlier he had found a letter from Mrs. Hastings, who was then in Paris, awaiting him, in which she stated that she could not at the moment say when she would go home again, but that she expected to advise him shortly.
Wyllard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a still, clear evening of spring when Wyllard, unstrapping the ruchsack from his shoulders, sat down beside a frothing stream in a dale of Northern England.
