Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Ovington's Bank
Ovington's Bank

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for Ovington's Bank
Context Illustration Reading 1/48 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.
While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
“Good lad!” he muttered.
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.

Ovington's Bank

Chapter XVII

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

Line 1
The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.
Line 2
Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.
Line 3
He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.
Line 4
While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.
Line 5
“Good lad!” he muttered.

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 “While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.”

Clung noun US /clung/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Good lad!” he muttered.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.”

Muttered verb US /ˈmʌtərd/

spoke in a low voice that was difficult to hear

From this reading ““Good lad!” he muttered.”

Relief noun US /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading “Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.”

All words in this reading · 71

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

also

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

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

assure

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

authority

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

From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.

back

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

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

badge

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

From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.

bag

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

casement

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

chamber

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

circled

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

clungnounUS /clung/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

elbow

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

floor

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

GoodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Good lad!” he muttered.

grunt

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

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

hand

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

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

hid

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

home

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

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

house

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

keys

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

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

lad

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

From this reading “Good lad!” he muttered.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

low

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

master

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/

spoke in a low voice that was difficult to hear

From this reading “Good lad!” he muttered.

oak-panelled

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

painfully

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

pillow

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

power

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

From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.

presence

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

raised

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

room

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

sank

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

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

shabby

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

sightless

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

spacious

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

Squire

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

tester

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.

Then

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

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

touch

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

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

uneven

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He clung to them—they were his badge of authority, of power.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading The Squire raised himself painfully on his elbow and hid the bag between pillow and tester, where he could assure himself of its presence by a touch.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

wide

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

From this reading While he had them, sightless as he was, he was still master; about his room, the oak-panelled chamber, spacious but shabby, with the uneven floor and the low wide casement, the life of the house still circled.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then he sank back with a grunt of relief and his hand went to the keys, which also had their home under his pillow.