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The Return of the Native
The Return of the Native

Chapter XXXII

Cover illustration for The Return of the Native
Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.
It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.
The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.
The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.
He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.
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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 Return of the Native

Chapter XXXII

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.
Line 2
It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.
Line 3
The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.
Line 4
The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.
Line 5
He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.”

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.”

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

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

From this reading “He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.”

All words in this reading · 89

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 journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

antecedent

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

awakened

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

closed

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

constructed

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

days

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

decisively

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

door

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

early

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

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

evening

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

expression

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

fostered

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

funeral

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

garden

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

gate

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

gone

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

hour

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

illusion

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

journeyed

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

just

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

large

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

lintel

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

locked

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

longer

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

many

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

occasions

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

onward

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

opened

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

out

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

place

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

precisely

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

quickly

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

reached

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

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

shutters

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

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

similarities

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

sleep

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

slow

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

spider

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

stupefying

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

supposition

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The garden gate was locked and the shutters were closed, just as he himself had left them on the evening after the funeral.

there

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

tone

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

tying

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

unlocked

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

valley

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

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

walk

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

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

web

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

From this reading He unlocked the gate, and found that a spider had already constructed a large web, tying the door to the lintel, on the supposition that it was never to be opened again.

welcome

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was early afternoon when he reached the valley.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He journeyed onward, not quickly or decisively, but in the slow walk of one who has been awakened from a stupefying sleep.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading The expression of the place, the tone of the hour, were precisely those of many such occasions in days gone by; and these antecedent similarities fostered the illusion that she, who was there no longer, would come out to welcome him.