Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Mixed Faces
Mixed Faces

Chapter XIV

Cover illustration for Mixed Faces
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.
"I've been in a peculiar situation in this affair," said Martin.
"I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.
However, here you are.
Sign these."
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.

Mixed Faces

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.
Line 2
"I've been in a peculiar situation in this affair," said Martin.
Line 3
"I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.
Line 4
However, here you are.
/ˌhaʊˈevər here juː ɑːr/
Line 5
Sign these."

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 “At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “"I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “"I've been in a peculiar situation in this affair," said Martin.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “However, here you are.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “However, here you are.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “"I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.”

Stand noun US /stand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “Sign these."”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.”

All words in this reading · 66

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 exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

affair

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

From this reading "I've been in a peculiar situation in this affair," said Martin.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading However, here you are.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

assured

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

Automobile

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading "I've been in a peculiar situation in this affair," said Martin.

best

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

Club

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

Company

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

contract

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

day

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

duplicate

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

employment

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

Engineers

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

exactly

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

fight

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

following

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

further

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

Gollop

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading However, here you are.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading However, here you are.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

I've

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

From this reading "I've been in a peculiar situation in this affair," said Martin.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

inclinations

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

interests

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

James

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

Jim

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

likings

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

Martin

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

mediator

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

Mr

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

o'clock

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

peculiar

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

From this reading "I've been in a peculiar situation in this affair," said Martin.

personal

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

pocket

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

questioning

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

said

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

From this reading "I've been in a peculiar situation in this affair," said Martin.

Sayers

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

Sign

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

From this reading Sign these."

situation

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

From this reading "I've been in a peculiar situation in this affair," said Martin.

some

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

stand

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

taciturn

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Sign these."

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading "I've been in a peculiar situation in this affair," said Martin.

three-thirty

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

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At exactly three-thirty o'clock on the following day in the Engineers' Club the taciturn Mr. Martin, after some further questioning, took from his pocket a contract and duplicate that assured Mr. James Gollop employment.

well

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

From this reading "I've had to fight against some personal likings and inclinations, and stand as a mediator; for I must look after the best interests of the Sayers Automobile Company as well as the interests of Jim Gollop.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading However, here you are.