Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Last Hope
The Last Hope

Chapter XIII · The Lifted Veil

Cover illustration for The Last Hope
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.
A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.
“I am the boatman,” replied Loo, over his shoulder.
“Are you afraid?”
“What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.
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 Last Hope

Chapter XIII · The Lifted Veil

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.
Line 2
A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.
Line 3
“I am the boatman,” replied Loo, over his shoulder.
Line 4
“Are you afraid?”
Line 5
“What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading ““Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading ““What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.”

Descended noun US /ˈdescended/

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

From this reading ““What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.”

Deserted verb US /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/

left a place or vessel without intending to return

From this reading ““Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading ““I am the boatman,” replied Loo, over his shoulder.”

Peering verb US /ˈpɪrɪŋ/

looking closely or carefully

From this reading ““What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““I am the boatman,” replied Loo, over his shoulder.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.”

All words in this reading · 74

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 A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

afraid

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

From this reading “Are you afraid?”

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “I am the boatman,” replied Loo, over his shoulder.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading “Are you afraid?”

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

Barebone

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

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

boatman

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

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

boats

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

bows

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

burnt

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

darkness

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

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

descendednounUS /ˈdescended/

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

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/

left a place or vessel without intending to return

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

dimly

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

down

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

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

end

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

followed

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

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

full

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

hand

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

head

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

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

heard

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading “I am the boatman,” replied Loo, over his shoulder.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “I am the boatman,” replied Loo, over his shoulder.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

jetty

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

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

Juliette

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

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

lapping

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

light

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

Loo

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

From this reading “I am the boatman,” replied Loo, over his shoulder.

Marie

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

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

moored

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

mystery

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

near

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “I am the boatman,” replied Loo, over his shoulder.

peeringverbUS /ˈpɪrɪŋ/

looking closely or carefully

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I am the boatman,” replied Loo, over his shoulder.

secretive

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

shoulder

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

From this reading “I am the boatman,” replied Loo, over his shoulder.

sound

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

steps

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

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

stopping

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

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

two

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

water

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

WhereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading “Where is the boatman?” asked Marie, as she followed Juliette and Barebone along the deserted jetty.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

whispering

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

From this reading A light burnt dimly at the end of it and one or two boats must have been moored near at hand; for the water could be heard lapping under their bows, a secretive, whispering sound full of mystery.

woman

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

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

world

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

From this reading “What is the good of being afraid?” asked this woman of the world, stopping at the head of the steps and peering down into the darkness into which he had descended.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Are you afraid?”