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Marcia Schuyler
Marcia Schuyler

Chapter IX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/110 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
David slowly recovered his poise.
Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.
At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.
Most of the time he mourned over and for the lovely girl he had lost.
As for Marcia, she came and went unobtrusively, making quiet comfort for David which he scarcely noticed.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Marcia Schuyler

Chapter IX

Reading 1/110 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
David slowly recovered his poise.
Line 2
Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.
Line 3
At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.
Line 4
Most of the time he mourned over and for the lovely girl he had lost.
Line 5
As for Marcia, she came and went unobtrusively, making quiet comfort for David which he scarcely noticed.

Learner Dictionary

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

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Most of the time he mourned over and for the lovely girl he had lost.”

Remained noun US /ˈremained/

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

From this reading “Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.”

Terrible noun US /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading “Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Most of the time he mourned over and for the lovely girl he had lost.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As for Marcia, she came and went unobtrusively, making quiet comfort for David which he scarcely noticed.”

All words in this reading · 81

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 At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

abide

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

able

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

absolutely

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As for Marcia, she came and went unobtrusively, making quiet comfort for David which he scarcely noticed.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

came

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

From this reading As for Marcia, she came and went unobtrusively, making quiet comfort for David which he scarcely noticed.

comfort

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

From this reading As for Marcia, she came and went unobtrusively, making quiet comfort for David which he scarcely noticed.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

David

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

From this reading David slowly recovered his poise.

deed

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

eating

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

Faced

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

fact

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

fault

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Most of the time he mourned over and for the lovely girl he had lost.

girl

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

From this reading Most of the time he mourned over and for the lovely girl he had lost.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Most of the time he mourned over and for the lovely girl he had lost.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

helpless

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading David slowly recovered his poise.

hold

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

impenetrable

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

impossibility

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

Kate

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

keep

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

lost

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

From this reading Most of the time he mourned over and for the lovely girl he had lost.

lovely

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

From this reading Most of the time he mourned over and for the lovely girl he had lost.

making

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

From this reading As for Marcia, she came and went unobtrusively, making quiet comfort for David which he scarcely noticed.

Marcia

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

From this reading As for Marcia, she came and went unobtrusively, making quiet comfort for David which he scarcely noticed.

misery

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

Most

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

From this reading Most of the time he mourned over and for the lovely girl he had lost.

mourned

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

From this reading Most of the time he mourned over and for the lovely girl he had lost.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

noticed

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

From this reading As for Marcia, she came and went unobtrusively, making quiet comfort for David which he scarcely noticed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

often

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Most of the time he mourned over and for the lovely girl he had lost.

poise

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

From this reading David slowly recovered his poise.

possibly

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

quiet

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

From this reading As for Marcia, she came and went unobtrusively, making quiet comfort for David which he scarcely noticed.

recovered

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

From this reading David slowly recovered his poise.

remainednounUS /ˈremained/

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

rose

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

scarcely

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

From this reading As for Marcia, she came and went unobtrusively, making quiet comfort for David which he scarcely noticed.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

slowly

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

From this reading David slowly recovered his poise.

soul

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

surface

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

there

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Most of the time he mourned over and for the lovely girl he had lost.

times

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

truth

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

try

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

unobtrusively

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

From this reading As for Marcia, she came and went unobtrusively, making quiet comfort for David which he scarcely noticed.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

wall

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

way

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As for Marcia, she came and went unobtrusively, making quiet comfort for David which he scarcely noticed.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Faced by that terrible, impenetrable wall of impossibility he stood helpless, his misery eating in upon his soul, but there still remained the fact that there was nothing, absolutely nothing, which he could possibly do.

wretched

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

From this reading At times the truth rose to the surface, the wretched truth, that Kate was at fault, that having done the deed she should abide by it, and not try to keep a hold upon him, but it was not often he was able to think in this way.