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The Fortunes of Oliver Horn
The Fortunes of Oliver Horn

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for The Fortunes of Oliver Horn
Context Illustration Reading 1/87 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.
The janitor had just slipped two letters through a slit in the door.
Both lay on the floor within reach of his hand.
One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.
Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.
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 Fortunes of Oliver Horn

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.
Line 2
The janitor had just slipped two letters through a slit in the door.
Line 3
Both lay on the floor within reach of his hand.
Line 4
One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.
Line 5
Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

Learner Dictionary

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 “"MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “"MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Both lay on the floor within reach of his hand.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “"MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “"MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “The janitor had just slipped two letters through a slit in the door.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “Both lay on the floor within reach of his hand.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.”

All words in this reading · 87

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 janitor had just slipped two letters through a slit in the door.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

bearing

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

become

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

big

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

boiled

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Both lay on the floor within reach of his hand.

Broadway

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

broke

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

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

chair

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

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

city

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

club

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

coffee

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

Countess

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

door

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

From this reading The janitor had just slipped two letters through a slit in the door.

drinking

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

fall

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

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

FLOOR

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

gallery

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

GRANT

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

hand

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

From this reading Both lay on the floor within reach of his hand.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

incident

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

janitor

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

From this reading The janitor had just slipped two letters through a slit in the door.

just

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

From this reading The janitor had just slipped two letters through a slit in the door.

lay

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

From this reading Both lay on the floor within reach of his hand.

letter

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

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

letters

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

From this reading The janitor had just slipped two letters through a slit in the door.

light

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

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

looking

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

MARGARET

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

mother

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

mother's

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

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

moved

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

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

native

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

Oliver

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

other

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

out

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

overhead

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

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

own

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

pages

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

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

painting

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

picture-dealer

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

portrait

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

postmark

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

prominent

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

reach

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

From this reading Both lay on the floor within reach of his hand.

rooms

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

sat

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

seal

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

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

skylight

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

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

slipped

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

From this reading The janitor had just slipped two letters through a slit in the door.

slit

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

From this reading The janitor had just slipped two letters through a slit in the door.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

some

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

spring

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

street

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

studios

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

talk

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading The janitor had just slipped two letters through a slit in the door.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

TOP

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

two

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

From this reading The janitor had just slipped two letters through a slit in the door.

visit

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

week

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

From this reading "MARGARET GRANT--TOP FLOOR" One spring morning, some time after the visit of the Countess to the club and the painting of her portrait by Oliver--the incident had become the talk of the studios before the week was out--Oliver sat in his own rooms on the top floor, drinking his coffee--the coffee he had boiled himself.

window

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

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading One was from his mother, bearing the postmark of his native city; the other was from a prominent picture-dealer on Broadway, with a gallery and big window looking out on the street.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Both lay on the floor within reach of his hand.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Oliver broke the seal of his mother's letter, and moved his chair so that the light from the overhead skylight would fall on its pages.