The drinker was sitting silently in front of many empty bottles and also many full bottles.

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settled down /ˌsetld ˈdaʊn/

phr. v. To become calm, quiet, or comfortable in a place.

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collection /kəˈlekʃn/

n. A group of objects or an amount of material accumulated in one location.

"I am drinking," replied the drinker with a sad look. "Why are you drinking?"

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tippler /ˈtɪplə(r)/

n. A person who drinks alcohol regularly, especially in small quantities.

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lugubrious /ləˈɡuːbriəs/

adj. Looking or sounding sad and dismal.

"To forget that I am ashamed," the drinker confessed, hanging his head.

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confessed /kənˈfest/

v. Admitted or acknowledged something reluctantly, typically because one feels slightly ashamed or embarrassed.

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hanging his head /ˈhæŋɪŋ hɪz ˈhed/

phr. v. To bend one's head forward, typically as a sign of shame, guilt, or sadness.

🔊 "What are you ashamed of?"

"What are you ashamed of?"

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ashamed /əˈʃeɪmd/

adj. Embarrassed or guilty because of one's actions, characteristics, or associations.

"I am ashamed of drinking!" The drinker ended his speech and fell into complete silence.

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brought his speech to an end /brɔːt hɪz ˈspiːtʃ tʊ ən ˈend/

phr. v. Finished talking; concluded what he was saying.

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impregnable /ɪmˈpreɡnəbl/

adj. Unable to be captured, entered, or broken into; impossible to overcome.

Then the little prince left, feeling puzzled.

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puzzled /ˈpʌzld/

adj. Unable to understand; perplexed.

"Grown-ups are certainly very strange," he thought to himself, as he continued on his journey.

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continued on his journey /kənˈtɪnjuːd ɒn hɪz ˈdʒɜːni/

phr. v. Kept traveling; proceeded further along his path.

Chapter XII