Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Nobody's Man
Nobody's Man

Chapter XV

Cover illustration for Nobody's Man
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.
It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.
A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.
Under such circumstances, conversation became precarious and was confined chiefly to local topics.
When they left the room for their coffee, they found it served in the hall.
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.

Nobody's Man

Chapter XV

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.
Line 2
It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.
Line 3
A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.
Line 4
Under such circumstances, conversation became precarious and was confined chiefly to local topics.
Line 5
When they left the room for their coffee, they found it served in the hall.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.”

Formidable adjective US /ˈfɔːrmɪdəbəl/

very difficult to deal with or overcome

From this reading “It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When they left the room for their coffee, they found it served in the hall.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When they left the room for their coffee, they found it served in the hall.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Under such circumstances, conversation became precarious and was confined chiefly to local topics.”

All words in this reading · 78

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 Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.

attendance

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

From this reading A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.

became

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

From this reading Under such circumstances, conversation became precarious and was confined chiefly to local topics.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

butler

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

From this reading A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.

chair

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

From this reading A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.

chef

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

chiefly

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

From this reading Under such circumstances, conversation became precarious and was confined chiefly to local topics.

circumstances

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

From this reading Under such circumstances, conversation became precarious and was confined chiefly to local topics.

coffee

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

From this reading When they left the room for their coffee, they found it served in the hall.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

confined

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

From this reading Under such circumstances, conversation became precarious and was confined chiefly to local topics.

constant

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

From this reading A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.

conversation

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

dimensions

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

dining

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

distance

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

ducal

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmɪdəbəl/

very difficult to deal with or overcome

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When they left the room for their coffee, they found it served in the hall.

fretted

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

hall

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

From this reading When they left the room for their coffee, they found it served in the hall.

hedged

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

hostess

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

household

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

Jane's

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

From this reading A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.

Lady

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

From this reading A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.

larger

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When they left the room for their coffee, they found it served in the hall.

local

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

From this reading Under such circumstances, conversation became precarious and was confined chiefly to local topics.

Luncheon

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

luxurious

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

manservant

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

From this reading A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.

meal

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

monosyllabic

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

place

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

precarious

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

From this reading Under such circumstances, conversation became precarious and was confined chiefly to local topics.

reduced

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

rendered

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

restraints

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

room

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

served

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

sideboard

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

From this reading A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.

smallest

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A manservant stood behind Lady Jane's chair, and the butler was in constant attendance at the sideboard.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Under such circumstances, conversation became precarious and was confined chiefly to local topics.

table

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

Tallente

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading When they left the room for their coffee, they found it served in the hall.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When they left the room for their coffee, they found it served in the hall.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

too

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

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

topics

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

From this reading Under such circumstances, conversation became precarious and was confined chiefly to local topics.

UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Under such circumstances, conversation became precarious and was confined chiefly to local topics.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When they left the room for their coffee, they found it served in the hall.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading It was served, too, in the larger dining room, where the table, reduced to its smallest dimensions, still seemed to place a formidable distance between himself and his hostess.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.

Woolhanger

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

From this reading Luncheon was a pleasant, even a luxurious meal, for the Woolhanger chef had come from the ducal household, but it was hedged about with restraints which fretted Tallente and rendered conversation monosyllabic.