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The Lion's Share
The Lion's Share

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for The Lion's Share
Context Illustration Reading 1/67 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.
The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.
Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.
And experience even showed that these shades of blue were improved, made more delicate and romantic, by smoke.
The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.
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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 Lion's Share

Chapter XX

Reading 1/67 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.
Line 2
The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.
Line 3
Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.
Line 4
And experience even showed that these shades of blue were improved, made more delicate and romantic, by smoke.
Line 5
The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And experience even showed that these shades of blue were improved, made more delicate and romantic, by smoke.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.”

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.”

Taste verb US /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading “The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “And experience even showed that these shades of blue were improved, made more delicate and romantic, by smoke.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.”

All words in this reading · 92

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

accordance

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

all

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

any

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

Audrey

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

beheld

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

Birmingham

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

Birmingham's

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

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

BLUE

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And experience even showed that these shades of blue were improved, made more delicate and romantic, by smoke.

café

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

certain

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

chemical

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

CITY

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

delicate

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

From this reading And experience even showed that these shades of blue were improved, made more delicate and romantic, by smoke.

discovered

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

distance

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

district

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

Edgbaston

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

effects

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

especially

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

ethereal

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And experience even showed that these shades of blue were improved, made more delicate and romantic, by smoke.

experience

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

From this reading And experience even showed that these shades of blue were improved, made more delicate and romantic, by smoke.

far

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

Foley

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

following

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

hardly

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

imitative

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

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

impression

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

improved

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

From this reading And experience even showed that these shades of blue were improved, made more delicate and romantic, by smoke.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

Ingate

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

Jane

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

knowledge

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

London

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

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

made

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

From this reading And experience even showed that these shades of blue were improved, made more delicate and romantic, by smoke.

Manchester

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

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

minarets

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

Miss

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

month

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

more

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

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

now

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

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

open-air

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

period

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

polite

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

remembered

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

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

reply

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

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

resist

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

romantic

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

From this reading And experience even showed that these shades of blue were improved, made more delicate and romantic, by smoke.

said

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

Saturday

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

seated

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

shade

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

shades

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

show

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

showed

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

From this reading And experience even showed that these shades of blue were improved, made more delicate and romantic, by smoke.

situated

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

smoke

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

successfully

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

tasteverbUS /teɪst/

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading And experience even showed that these shades of blue were improved, made more delicate and romantic, by smoke.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

total

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

towers

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading THE BLUE CITY In the following month, on a Saturday afternoon, Audrey, Miss Ingate, and Jane Foley were seated at an open-air café in the Blue City.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The total impression of the show--which it need hardly be said was situated in the polite Edgbaston district--was ethereal, especially when its minarets and towers, all in accordance with the taste of the period, were beheld from a distance.

White

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

From this reading The Blue City, now no more, was, as may be remembered, Birmingham's reply to the White City of London, and the imitative White City of Manchester.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.

year

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

From this reading Birmingham, in that year, was not imitative, and, with its chemical knowledge, it had discovered that certain shades of blue would resist the effects of smoke far more successfully than any shade of white.