Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Starbucks
The Starbucks

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for The Starbucks
Context Illustration Reading 1/48 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DIDN'T DO ANYTHING HEROIC.
During all the morning Jim had been silent.
Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."
"Why, you couldn't neglect a duty, Mr. Reverend."
"I didn't think so, but I am.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Starbucks

Chapter XII

Reading 1/48 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DIDN'T DO ANYTHING HEROIC.
Line 2
During all the morning Jim had been silent.
Line 3
Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."
Line 4
"Why, you couldn't neglect a duty, Mr. Reverend."
Line 5
"I didn't think so, but I am.

Learner Dictionary

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

ANYTHING pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “DIDN'T DO ANYTHING HEROIC.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “During all the morning Jim had been silent.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During all the morning Jim had been silent.”

Duty noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During all the morning Jim had been silent.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I didn't think so, but I am.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."”

All words in this reading · 67

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 Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

all

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

From this reading During all the morning Jim had been silent.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

ANYTHINGpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading DIDN'T DO ANYTHING HEROIC.

arms

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

attitude

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

away

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading During all the morning Jim had been silent.

break

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "I didn't think so, but I am.

Cortez

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

couldn't

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

From this reading "Why, you couldn't neglect a duty, Mr. Reverend."

DIDN'T

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

From this reading DIDN'T DO ANYTHING HEROIC.

discoverer

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

DOauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading DIDN'T DO ANYTHING HEROIC.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During all the morning Jim had been silent.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

far

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

fixedly

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

folded

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

gazed

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

gazing

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading During all the morning Jim had been silent.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

HEROIC

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

From this reading DIDN'T DO ANYTHING HEROIC.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

Jim

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

From this reading During all the morning Jim had been silent.

knob

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

life's

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

looking

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

ma'm

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During all the morning Jim had been silent.

Mr

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

From this reading "Why, you couldn't neglect a duty, Mr. Reverend."

neglect

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

From this reading "Why, you couldn't neglect a duty, Mr. Reverend."

neglecting

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

off

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

Pacific

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

purple

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

reminded

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

Reverend

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

From this reading "Why, you couldn't neglect a duty, Mr. Reverend."

rugged

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

scenes

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

silent

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

From this reading During all the morning Jim had been silent.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

some

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

spell

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

StandingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading During all the morning Jim had been silent.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I didn't think so, but I am.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

viewing

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

why

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

work

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

world-woman

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

yander

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

From this reading Standing on a purple knob, arms folded, gazing far away toward the rugged scenes of his life's work, he had reminded the world-woman of some discoverer, a Cortez viewing the Pacific; and when to break the spell of his attitude she asked him why he gazed so fixedly, he replied: "I am looking away off yander at the duty I am neglecting, ma'm."

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Why, you couldn't neglect a duty, Mr. Reverend."