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

Chapter XXVIII

Cover illustration for The Strollers
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.
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 Strollers

Chapter XXVIII

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.
Line 2
With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.
Line 3
From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.
Line 4
As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.
Line 5
The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

Learner Dictionary

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

Disappeared noun US /ˈdisappeared/

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

From this reading “As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.”

Twilight noun US /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/

the dim light before night or sunrise

From this reading “AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.”

All words in this reading · 88

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 AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

abruptly

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

acolytes

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

From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

ANdeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

artificial

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

baskets

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

bearers

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

blending

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

booths

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

From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.

burial

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

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

came

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

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

ceiling

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

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

children

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

From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

citywards

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

From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.

darkness

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

departed

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

From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

dignity

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

down

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

dusky

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

From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.

erectness

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

figures

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

finally

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

flowers

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.

gates

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

From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.

general

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

ground

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

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.

heads

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

imparting

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

INCONGRUOUS

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

isolation

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

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

kingdom

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

From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

laughing

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

From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

lengthening

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

like

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

loneliness

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

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

Longer

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

merged

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

neighborhood

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

From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.

nuns

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

From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

out

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

poised

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

preceded

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

From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

priests

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

From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

restful

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

ROLE

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

roses

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

sad-eyed

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

From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

sense

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

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

sky

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

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

stalls

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

From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

sun

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

surrounded

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

From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

tall

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

tombstone

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

trailed

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

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

transition

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

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

trundling

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

From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.

twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/

the dim light before night or sunrise

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading As abruptly had disappeared the bearers of flowers and artificial roses with baskets poised upon their heads, imparting to their figures dignity and erectness.

vanished

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

From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.

venders

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

From this reading From the neighborhood of the gates had vanished the dusky venders, trundling their booths and stalls citywards.

walls

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

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

way

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

From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

wended

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

From this reading The sad-eyed nuns had wended their way out of the little kingdom of the departed, surrounded by the laughing children and preceded by the priests and acolytes.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading AN INCONGRUOUS ROLE Longer and longer trailed the shadow of a tall tombstone until, as the sun went down, it merged into the general twilight like a life lengthening out and out and finally blending in restful darkness.

WithprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.

world

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

From this reading With that transition came a sudden sense of isolation and loneliness; the little burial ground seemed the world; the sky, its walls and ceiling.