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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
agonynounUS /ˈæɡ.ə.ni/
Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
Alf
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From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
answer
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From this reading I went out and shouted his name, but no answer came back.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
back
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From this reading I went out and shouted his name, but no answer came back.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I went to the spring to get a bucket of fresh water, and when I returned Alf was nowhere to be found.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
believed
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From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
broke
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From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
bucket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went to the spring to get a bucket of fresh water, and when I returned Alf was nowhere to be found.
Bunyan
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From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
came
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From this reading I went out and shouted his name, but no answer came back.
caught
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From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
church
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From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
Chyd
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From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
condition
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From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
create
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From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
criticise
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From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
day
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From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
fancied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
fault
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From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
feared
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From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I went to the spring to get a bucket of fresh water, and when I returned Alf was nowhere to be found.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went to the spring to get a bucket of fresh water, and when I returned Alf was nowhere to be found.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
genius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went to the spring to get a bucket of fresh water, and when I returned Alf was nowhere to be found.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
Guinea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
hearts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
John
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From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
leaving
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From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
Lim
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From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
maddened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
mainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I went out and shouted his name, but no answer came back.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I went out and shouted his name, but no answer came back.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
nowhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went to the spring to get a bucket of fresh water, and when I returned Alf was nowhere to be found.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
old
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From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
outcry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
passionate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
poem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
read
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From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
reasonable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
restraint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I went to the spring to get a bucket of fresh water, and when I returned Alf was nowhere to be found.
shoutednounUS /shouted/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I went out and shouted his name, but no answer came back.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went to the spring to get a bucket of fresh water, and when I returned Alf was nowhere to be found.
swore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
tortured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
violently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went to the spring to get a bucket of fresh water, and when I returned Alf was nowhere to be found.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Alf held himself in reasonable restraint until the old people were gone, and then he broke out so violently that I really feared for his reason.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I went to the spring to get a bucket of fresh water, and when I returned Alf was nowhere to be found.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Guinea and Chyd, old Lim and his wife went to church the next day, leaving Alf and me alone.
written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was mainly my fault for I read him a passionate poem, the outcry of a maddened soul, and he swore that it had been written for him, that it was his, and I caught his spirit and fancied that he might have written it, for I believed then, as I believe now, that great things do not come from a quiet heart, that quiet hearts may criticise, but that they do not create, that genius is a condition, an agony, a tortured John Bunyan.
