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The Castle Inn
The Castle Inn

Chapter XXXI

Cover illustration for The Castle Inn
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Castle Inn

Chapter XXXI

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.
Line 2
Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.
Line 3
One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.
Line 4
Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.
Line 5
On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.

Learner Dictionary

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

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.”

Bustle noun US /ˈbʌsəl/

busy and excited activity

From this reading “Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

activity

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

ale

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

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

arrival

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

awaiting

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

From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.

away

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

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

bringing

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/

busy and excited activity

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

buttery

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

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

ByprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

chambers

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

CHANCE

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

clean

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

clergyman

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

From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.

cook

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

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

diamond

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

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

draw

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

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

driver

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

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

entering

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

From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.

filled

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

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

find

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

From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

flitted

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

full

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

Half-dressed

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

hall

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

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

hard

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

heels

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.

hospitable

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

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

house

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

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.

hum

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

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

inn

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

kitchen

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

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

landlord

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

From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.

Lights

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

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

low-browed

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

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

MEDLEY

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

narrow

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

night-caps

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

only

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

From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

orders

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

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

pair

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

panes

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

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

passages

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

roused

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

second

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

servants

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

setting

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

shine

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

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

snuff

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

snuffers

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

subdued

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

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

surprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

travellers

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

From this reading CHANCE MEDLEY By this time the arrival of a second pair of travellers hard on the heels of the first had roused the inn to full activity.

trays

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

up

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

way

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

From this reading Half-dressed servants flitted this way and that through the narrow passages, setting night-caps in the chambers, or bringing up clean snuffers and snuff trays.

William's

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

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

windows

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

From this reading Lights began to shine in the hall and behind the diamond panes of the low-browed windows; a pleasant hum, a subdued bustle, filled the hospitable house.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading One was away to the buttery, to draw ale for the driver, another to the kitchen with William's orders to the cook.

Yarmouth

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

From this reading On entering the Yarmouth, however, the landlord was surprised to find only the clergyman awaiting him.