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Three People
Three People

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for Three People
Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE STEPPING STONE.
Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.
His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.
"Here, Mr. Stephens, is your ten dollars.
I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."
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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.

Three People

Chapter XI

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE STEPPING STONE.
Line 2
Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.
Line 3
His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.
Line 4
"Here, Mr. Stephens, is your ten dollars.
Line 5
I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."

Learner Dictionary

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

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Here, Mr. Stephens, is your ten dollars.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.”

Running noun US /ˈrunning/

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

From this reading “Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.”

Till preposition US /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

answer

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

bit

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

blew

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

From this reading I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

couldn't

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

From this reading I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."

didn't

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

From this reading I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."

dollars

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

From this reading "Here, Mr. Stephens, is your ten dollars.

door-bell

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

encountered

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

figures

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

HerenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Here, Mr. Stephens, is your ten dollars.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

household

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "Here, Mr. Stephens, is your ten dollars.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

kept

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

From this reading I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."

midnight

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

Mr

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

near

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

night

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

paper

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

private

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

quick

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

quiet

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

rapidly

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

ring

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

room

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

rows

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

runningnounUS /ˈrunning/

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

sitting

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

somewhere

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

spoke

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

startled

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

steal

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

From this reading I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."

Stephens

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

STEPPING

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

From this reading THE STEPPING STONE.

STONE

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

From this reading THE STEPPING STONE.

ten

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

From this reading "Here, Mr. Stephens, is your ten dollars.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE STEPPING STONE.

then

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

From this reading I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."

thrust

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

Thus

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading I didn't steal it, but it blew to me, and I kept it till I found I couldn't, and then I brought it."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

Tode

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Thus it was that Mr. Stephens, sitting in his private room running over long rows of figures, was startled, somewhere near midnight, by a quick ring of the door-bell.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading His household were quiet for the night, so he went himself to answer the ring, and encountered Tode, who thrust a bit of paper toward him, and spoke rapidly.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Here, Mr. Stephens, is your ten dollars.