Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
We Two: A Novel
We Two: A Novel

Chapter XIV · An Interval

Cover illustration for We Two: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
How can man love but what he yearns to help?
R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.
He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.
She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.
The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.
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.

We Two: A Novel

Chapter XIV · An Interval

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
How can man love but what he yearns to help?
Line 2
R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.
Line 3
He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.
Line 4
She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.
Line 5
The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.

Learner Dictionary

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

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.”

Help noun US /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “How can man love but what he yearns to help?”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.”

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 The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.

any

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

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

better

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

Brian

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

Browning

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading How can man love but what he yearns to help?

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading How can man love but what he yearns to help?

child

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

From this reading The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

Erica's

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

harm

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

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading How can man love but what he yearns to help?

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading How can man love but what he yearns to help?

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

high-souled

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

From this reading The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

hitherto

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

How

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

From this reading How can man love but what he yearns to help?

illness

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.

intrusion

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

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

love

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

From this reading How can man love but what he yearns to help?

man

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

From this reading How can man love but what he yearns to help?

manifestation

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

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

many

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

From this reading The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

position

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

R

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

ready

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

From this reading She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.

realize

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

respects

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

From this reading The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.

saw

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

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.

slight

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

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

some

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

From this reading The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading How can man love but what he yearns to help?

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

true

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

truth

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

From this reading The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.

Undine

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

From this reading The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.

untold

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

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.

well

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

From this reading He saw quite well that any intrusion of his love, even any slight manifestation of it, might do untold harm.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading How can man love but what he yearns to help?

why

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

From this reading She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.

woman

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

From this reading The truth was, that his Undine, although in many respects a high-souled woman, was still in some respects a child.

year

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

From this reading R. Browning During the year of Erica's illness, Brian began to realize his true position toward her better than he had hitherto done.

yearns

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

From this reading How can man love but what he yearns to help?

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading She was not ready for it yet why, he could not have told.