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The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories
The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories

Chapter XXXII

Cover illustration for The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.
He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.
After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.
The old devil next went in search of the brothers, but he could learn nothing of their whereabouts.
After some time he found them in their different kingdoms, contented and happy.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories

Chapter XXXII

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.
Line 2
He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.
Line 3
After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.
Line 4
The old devil next went in search of the brothers, but he could learn nothing of their whereabouts.
Line 5
After some time he found them in their different kingdoms, contented and happy.

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 “After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The old devil next went in search of the brothers, but he could learn nothing of their whereabouts.”

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading “After some time he found them in their different kingdoms, contented and happy.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After some time he found them in their different kingdoms, contented and happy.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The old devil next went in search of the brothers, but he could learn nothing of their whereabouts.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.”

Seeing noun US /seeing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

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

From this reading “The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.”

All words in this reading · 65

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

bring

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

brothers

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

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

contented

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

From this reading After some time he found them in their different kingdoms, contented and happy.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The old devil next went in search of the brothers, but he could learn nothing of their whereabouts.

decided

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

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

devil

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

devils

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading After some time he found them in their different kingdoms, contented and happy.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

emissaries

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

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

expected

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After some time he found them in their different kingdoms, contented and happy.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

grew

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

ground

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

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

happy

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

From this reading After some time he found them in their different kingdoms, contented and happy.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

holes

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

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

kingdoms

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

From this reading After some time he found them in their different kingdoms, contented and happy.

learn

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

From this reading The old devil next went in search of the brothers, but he could learn nothing of their whereabouts.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

looking

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

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

news

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The old devil next went in search of the brothers, but he could learn nothing of their whereabouts.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

old

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

perform

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

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

ruin

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

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

search

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

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

seeing

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

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

sent

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

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

some

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

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

succeeded

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

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading After some time he found them in their different kingdoms, contented and happy.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

three

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

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.

tired

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

vain

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

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

waited

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

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

waiting

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

whereabouts

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

From this reading The old devil next went in search of the brothers, but he could learn nothing of their whereabouts.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him.

work

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

From this reading He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.