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Without a Home
Without a Home

Chapter XXXIV

Cover illustration for Without a Home
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.
It was from Vinton Arnold.
As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.
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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.

Without a Home

Chapter XXXIV

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.
Line 2
A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.
Line 3
He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.
Line 4
It was from Vinton Arnold.
Line 5
As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.”

Breathe verb US /briːð/

to speak or reveal information, especially secretly

From this reading “As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.”

All words in this reading · 78

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 A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

addressed

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

all

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

Arnold

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

From this reading It was from Vinton Arnold.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

away

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

From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

bolt

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

breatheverbUS /briːð/

to speak or reveal information, especially secretly

From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.

bright

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

care

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

city

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

clouds

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

contained

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

From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.

day

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

days

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

death-warrant

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

From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.

desperately

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

From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.

destroy

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

From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.

existence

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

From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.

fell

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

foreign

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was from Vinton Arnold.

gathering

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

GIVEN

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

handwriting

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

From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.

happy

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

HOPES

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

horizon

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

instantly

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

From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.

Jocelyn

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

knew

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

From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.

letter

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.

many

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

Mildred

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

Miss

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

missive

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

From this reading He knew the handwriting instantly, and he looked at the missive as if it contained his death-warrant.

most

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.

office

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

post-mark

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

promise

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

return

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

rode

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

From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.

Roger

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

serene

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

skies

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

SLAIN

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

tempted

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

From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

two

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

unexpectedly

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

village

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

From this reading A day or two before his return to the city he found at the village office a letter with a foreign post-mark, addressed, in his care, to Miss Mildred Jocelyn.

Vinton

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

From this reading It was from Vinton Arnold.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was from Vinton Arnold.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading HOPES GIVEN AND SLAIN The skies seemed serene and bright, with promise to all for many happy days, but clouds were gathering below the horizon, and, most unexpectedly to him, the first bolt fell upon Roger.

word

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

From this reading As he rode away he was desperately tempted to destroy the letter, and never breathe a word of its existence.