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A Young Inventor's Pluck
A Young Inventor's Pluck

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for A Young Inventor's Pluck
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.
He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before.
The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.
He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.
He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.
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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.

A Young Inventor's Pluck

Chapter VI

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.
Line 2
He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before.
Line 3
The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.
Line 4
He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.
Line 5
He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before.”

Cell noun US /sel/

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading “FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.”

Save preposition US /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading “The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.”

Wondered noun US /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.”

All words in this reading · 101

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 FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

arrest

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

arrested

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

BAIL

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

beaver

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before.

board

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

burning

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

cap

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

cellnounUS /sel/

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

charge

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

From this reading He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.

clang

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

climax

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

day

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

door

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

down

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

From this reading He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before.

end

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before.

excite

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

feet

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

Felix

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

From this reading He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.

FINDING

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

Gray

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

From this reading He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

hardly

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

hasty

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

heard

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

heart

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

From this reading He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before.

heavier

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

From this reading He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

hours

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

how

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

From this reading He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

iron

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

Jack

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

library

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

like

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.

manufacturer's

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

meant

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

misfortunes

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

Mr

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

From this reading He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

now

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

perhaps

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

piled

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

place

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

previous

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

rather

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

reached

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

realized

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

reason

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

rough

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

sat

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

From this reading He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

saving

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

scarcely

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

shut

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

six

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

square

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

stone

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

surely

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

suspicion

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

tool

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

two

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

up

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

various

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He sat down with a heart that was heavier than ever before.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading FINDING BAIL Jack hardly realized what arrest meant until he heard the iron door clang shut, and found himself in a stone cell, scarcely six feet square, with nothing but a rough board upon which to rest.

wonderednounUS /wondered/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He wondered how Mr. Felix Gray had come to make the charge against him.

words

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

From this reading He could think of no reason that could excite suspicion, saving, perhaps, his rather hasty words in the tool manufacturer’s library the afternoon previous.

worked

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

From this reading The various misfortunes of the day had piled themselves up until he thought they had surely reached the end, and now, as if to cap the climax, here he was arrested for the burning of a place that he had worked like a beaver for two hours to save.