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Marcy, the Refugee
Marcy, the Refugee

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for Marcy, the Refugee
Context Illustration Reading 1/48 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE WISH GRATIFIED.
Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.
But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.
The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.
Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Marcy, the Refugee

Chapter VI

Reading 1/48 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE WISH GRATIFIED.
Line 2
Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.
Line 3
But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.
Line 4
The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.
Line 5
Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.”

All words in this reading · 94

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 Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

awakened

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

back

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

boy

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

came

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

cold

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

door

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

eaten

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

eyes

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

faint

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

figures

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

GRATIFIED

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

From this reading THE WISH GRATIFIED.

Gray

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

hand

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

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

hastened

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

head

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

heard

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

heartily

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

heavy

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

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

hoarse

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

instant

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

knew

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

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

laid

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

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

lamp

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

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

like

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

Marcy

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

midnight

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

mince

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

mother's

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

muffled

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

muzzle

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

opened

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

other

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

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

pie

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

pillow

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

pressed

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

put

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

revolver

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

room

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

rush

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

scream

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

sharp

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

shortly

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

shoulder

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

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

sit

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

slept

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

slumbered

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

soundly

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

stairs

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

supper

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

swift

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE WISH GRATIFIED.

Then

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

there

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

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

tried

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

From this reading Then he opened his eyes and tried to sit up, but was pressed back upon his pillow at the same instant that the cold, sharp muzzle of a revolver was put against his head.

turned

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

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

two

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

uneasily

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

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

up

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

voice

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The figures were there, but the first Marcy knew of it was when one turned up the lamp and the other laid a heavy hand upon his shoulder.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Marcy Gray slept like a boy who had eaten heartily of mince pie for supper, that is, uneasily.

wide-open

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

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.

WISH

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

From this reading THE WISH GRATIFIED.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading But still he must have slumbered soundly or he would have heard the faint scream and the hoarse, muffled voice that came up from his mother's room shortly after midnight, or been awakened by the swift rush of the two figures who hastened up the stairs and through the wide-open door into his room.