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The Doings of Raffles Haw
The Doings of Raffles Haw

Chapter XV · The Greater Secret

Cover illustration for The Doings of Raffles Haw
Context Illustration Reading 1/16 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.
Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.
There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.
“If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.
“We are all frightened, sir, about master.”
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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 Doings of Raffles Haw

Chapter XV · The Greater Secret

Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.
Line 2
Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.
Line 3
There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.
Line 4
“If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.
Line 5
“We are all frightened, sir, about master.”

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 ““We are all frightened, sir, about master.””

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.”

Cried noun US /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.”

Pipe noun US /pipe/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.”

Smoking noun US /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading “Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.”

Summons noun US /ˈsʌmənz/

an official order to appear or respond

From this reading “Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading ““If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.”

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 It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “We are all frightened, sir, about master.”

all

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading “We are all frightened, sir, about master.”

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

bald

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

broke

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

came

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

From this reading It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

criednounUS /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.

day

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

door

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

From this reading It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

Elmdene

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

From this reading It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

fire

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

frightened

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

From this reading “We are all frightened, sir, about master.”

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

Hall

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

harsh

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

hatless

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.

head

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

head-butler

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

Jones

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

knocking

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

From this reading It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

lamplight

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

late

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

From this reading It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

Laura

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

master

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

From this reading “We are all frightened, sir, about master.”

McIntyre

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

From this reading “If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.

moodily

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

Mr

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

From this reading “If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.

night

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

From this reading It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

pipe

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

please

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

From this reading “If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.

porch

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

raindrops

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

Robert

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

room

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

scared

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

shining

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

sir

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

From this reading “If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.

smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

smooth

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

startled

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

From this reading It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.

stout

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/

an official order to appear or respond

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

There

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

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

thoughts

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

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.

trouble

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

From this reading “If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.

up

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

From this reading “If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “We are all frightened, sir, about master.”

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “If you please, Mr. McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall?” he cried.