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The Reason Why
The Reason Why

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for The Reason Why
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.
He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.
Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.
But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.
He always played the _Chanson Triste_ when he was sad and lonely.
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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 Reason Why

Chapter IX

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.
Line 2
He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.
Line 3
Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.
Line 4
But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.
Line 5
He always played the _Chanson Triste_ when he was sad and lonely.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.”

Prosperous adjective US /ˈprɑspərəs/

successful and without serious problems

From this reading “Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.”

Stand noun US /stand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.”

Wonderful noun US /ˈwonderful/

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

From this reading “He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.”

All words in this reading · 66

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 had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

always

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.

any

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

Chanson

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

condition

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

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.

continuous

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

crouched

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

delicate

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

doubt

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.

family

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

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.

fellow

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

From this reading But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.

fire

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

health

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.

later

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

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.

lonely

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

From this reading He always played the _Chanson Triste_ when he was sad and lonely.

master

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

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.

means

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

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.

Mirko

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.

note

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

From this reading But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

played

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

From this reading He always played the _Chanson Triste_ when he was sad and lonely.

playing

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

procure

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

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.

prosperousadjectiveUS /ˈprɑspərəs/

successful and without serious problems

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.

reached

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

really

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

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.

sad

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

From this reading He always played the _Chanson Triste_ when he was sad and lonely.

smoldering

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

soul

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

From this reading But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.

sounded

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

From this reading But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.

stand

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

strange

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

From this reading But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.

studio

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

study

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

sufficiently

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

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.

talent

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

there

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

too

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

touch

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

From this reading But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.

Triste

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

two

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

up

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

violin

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

wailing

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

From this reading But the touch and soul of the strange little fellow sounded in every wailing note.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Mirko, crouched up by the smoldering fire, was playing the _Chanson Triste_ on his violin when the two reached the studio.

wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/

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

From this reading He had a wonderful talent--of that there was no doubt--but his health had always been too delicate to stand any continuous study.

years

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

From this reading Nor had the means of the family ever been in a sufficiently prosperous condition, in later years, to procure a really good master.