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The Port of Missing Men
The Port of Missing Men

Chapter XVIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
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AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.
—S. Weir Mitchell.
“Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.
He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.
The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.
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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 Port of Missing Men

Chapter XVIII

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

Line 1
AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.
Line 2
—S. Weir Mitchell.
Line 3
“Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.
Line 4
He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.
Line 5
The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.”

Faithful noun US /ˈfaithful/

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

From this reading “AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.”

Pipe noun US /pipe/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.”

Sharply noun US /ˈsharply/

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

From this reading “The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.”

All words in this reading · 77

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 He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading “Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.

ANdeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

applied

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

arm

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

Armitage

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

From this reading “Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.

Armitage's

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

attention

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

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

box

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

certain

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

days

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

entertained

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

EXCHANGE

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

faithfulnounUS /ˈfaithful/

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

fate

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

fireplace

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

glow

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

guests

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

John

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

From this reading “Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.

kept

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

lord

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

made

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

match

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

MESSAGES

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

Mitchell

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

From this reading —S. Weir Mitchell.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

ointment

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

older

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

Oscar

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

pact

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

pine-knot

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

pipe

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

S

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

From this reading —S. Weir Mitchell.

screw

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

sharplynounUS /ˈsharply/

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

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

smoldered

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

soberly

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

From this reading “Who am I?” asked John Armitage soberly.

soldier

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

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

state

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

stick

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

top

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

tossed

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

turned

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

From this reading The little soldier turned and stood sharply at attention.

unchallenged

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

vassal

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

watched

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

Weir

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

From this reading —S. Weir Mitchell.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He tossed the stick of a match into the fireplace, where a pine-knot smoldered, drew his pipe into a glow and watched Oscar screw the top on a box of ointment which he had applied to Armitage’s arm.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.

youth

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

From this reading AN EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES When youth was lord of my unchallenged fate, And time seemed but the vassal of my will, I entertained certain guests of state— The great of older days, who, faithful still, Have kept with me the pact my youth had made.