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The crystal claw
The crystal claw

Chapter XX

Chapter 20 of The crystal claw is here in full — 166 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 20 of The crystal claw by William Le Queux holds 166 sentences, grouped into 34 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 20 of The crystal claw contain?

Chapter 20 holds 166 sentences of The crystal claw, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of The crystal claw by William Le Queux exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 166 sentences, grouped into 34 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 20 of The crystal claw?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 20 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The crystal claw

Common questions about reading The crystal claw by William Le Queux on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The crystal claw?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The crystal claw is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #?, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The crystal claw take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The crystal claw section by section

How to work through The crystal claw section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 0 chapters of The crystal claw to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The crystal claw

Words and structures a reader meets early in The crystal claw, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of The crystal claw, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
One of the 0 chapters of The crystal claw, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of The crystal claw, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Cover illustration for The crystal claw
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.
The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.
Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.
Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.
I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.
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.

The crystal claw

Chapter XX

Chapter 20 of The crystal claw is here in full — 166 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.
Line 2
The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.
Line 3
Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.
Line 4
Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.
Line 5
I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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 “THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.”

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 THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

AIR-BALL

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

candle

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

From this reading Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.

centre

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

CHILD'S

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

close

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

closed

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

consciousness

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

dimly

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

dust

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

electrolier

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

Even

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

evidently

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

eyes

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

fantastic

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

fell

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

first

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

good

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

greeted

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

half-opened

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

happened

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

From this reading I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

interval

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

last

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

lay

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

light

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

lit

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

long

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

make

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

From this reading I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

measure

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

neglected

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

nostrils

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

only

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

out

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

From this reading I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

piece

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

From this reading Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.

plate

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

From this reading Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.

polished

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

recognized

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

regained

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

room

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

round

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

saw

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

scene

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

seemed

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

set

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

From this reading Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.

showing

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

size

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

small

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

From this reading Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.

smell

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

strange

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

table

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

thickly

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

tried

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

From this reading I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

unfamiliar

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

unreal

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

well-furnished

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.