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Hidden Water
Hidden Water

Chapter XXIV

Cover illustration for Hidden Water
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.
His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.
For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.
The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.
April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Hidden Water

Chapter XXIV

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.
Line 2
His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.
Line 3
For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.
Line 4
The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.
Line 5
April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.

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 “His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.”

Answered noun US /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading “For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.”

All words in this reading · 100

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 THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

air

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

From this reading April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.

ALL

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

answerednounUS /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

April

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

From this reading April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

barred

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

bill

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

bird

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

birds

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

braying

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

From this reading April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.

breeze

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.

cluster

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

color

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.

curved

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

dog

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

END

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

feathers

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

flowers

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

fragrance

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

glossy

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

gone

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

From this reading April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.

grass

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

From this reading April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

Hardy

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

heard

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

heart

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

Hidden

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

honor

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

house

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

joy

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

larks

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

light

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

lover

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

mesquite

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

mimicking

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

mistletoe

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

mocking-bird

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

nest

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

night

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.

now

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

off

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

orioles

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

out

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

polishes

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

preens

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

ramada

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

river

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

From this reading April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.

roof

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

sheep

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

From this reading April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.

shrilly

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

sifting

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

sings

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

songs

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

sparrows

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

sun

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

sweet

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

taken

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

There

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

tree

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

From this reading His nest is in a great cluster of mistletoe in the mesquite tree behind the house and every morning he polishes his long curved bill against the _ramada_ roof, preens out his glossy feathers, and does honor to the sun.

two

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

untainted

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

From this reading April had come, and the grass; the air was untainted; there was no braying by the river--the sheep had gone.

untrampled

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

Water

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

whistles

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

From this reading THE END OF IT ALL There is a mocking-bird at Hidden Water that sings the songs of all the birds and whistles for the dog.

whistling

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

wild

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.

window

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

world

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

From this reading The world had taken on light and color over night, and the breeze, sifting in through the barred window, was sweet with the fragrance of untrampled flowers.

years

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

From this reading For two years, off and on, Hardy had heard him, mimicking orioles and larks and sparrows and whistling shrilly for the dog, but now for the first time his heart answered to the wild joy of the bird lover.