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The Last Hope
The Last Hope

Chapter XXVIII · In the Dark

Cover illustration for The Last Hope
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.
Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.
Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.
When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.
“Who makes the offer?” he asked.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Last Hope

Chapter XXVIII · In the Dark

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.
Line 2
Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.
Line 3
Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.
Line 4
When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.
Line 5
“Who makes the offer?” he asked.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.”

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Who makes the offer?” he asked.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.”

All words in this reading · 94

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 Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

able

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

acquiescence

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

answer

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Who makes the offer?” he asked.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

cheeks

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

click

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

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

clock

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

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

closed

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

contemplation

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

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

contemptuous

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

corner

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

curve

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

elapse

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

face

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

given

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

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

head

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

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

implies

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

indecision

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

John

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

laugh

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

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

lips

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

Loo

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

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

lurking

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

makes

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

From this reading “Who makes the offer?” he asked.

mantelpiece

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

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

minutes

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

Miriam's

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

offer

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

From this reading “Who makes the offer?” he asked.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

own

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

perceived

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

pleasure

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

preliminary

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

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

probably

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

proposition

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

put

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

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

rarely

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

ready

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

reflected

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

refusal

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

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

round

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

saw

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

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

see

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

self-evident

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

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

shake

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

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

simple

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

smile

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

suggestion

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

supererogation

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

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

there

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

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

Thus

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

turned

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

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

Turner

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

vacuous

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

vast

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

From this reading Had John Turner been able to see round the curve of his own vast cheeks he might have perceived the answer to his proposition lurking in a little contemptuous smile at the corner of Miriam's closed lips.

waited

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

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Loo saw it there, and turned again to the contemplation of the clock on the mantelpiece which had already given a preliminary click.

WhopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading “Who makes the offer?” he asked.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Thus they waited until the minutes should elapse, and Turner, with a smile of simple pleasure at their ready acquiescence in his suggestion, probably reflected behind his vacuous face that silence rarely implies indecision.

words

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

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.

work

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

From this reading When at last the clock struck, Loo turned to him with a laugh and a shake of the head as if the refusal were so self-evident that to put it into words were a work of supererogation.