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Chapter XI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.
When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.
The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.
“Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”
“It was a patriotic duty,” replied Tom.
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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.

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Chapter XI

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.
Line 2
When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.
Line 3
The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.
Line 4
“Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”
Line 5
“It was a patriotic duty,” replied Tom.

Learner Dictionary

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

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?””

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.”

Distant adjective US /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading “The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.”

Duty noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading ““It was a patriotic duty,” replied Tom.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““It was a patriotic duty,” replied Tom.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading ““Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?””

All words in this reading · 89

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 TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

announced

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

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

anyway

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

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

applied

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

blocks

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

cast

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

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

catch

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

ceased

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

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

Clif

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

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

composure

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

considerably

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

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

countenance

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

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

CRASH

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

dickens

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

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”

distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “It was a patriotic duty,” replied Tom.

examine

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

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”

eyes

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

face

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

facing

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

far

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

fellows

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

flushed

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”

frequently

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

give

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

handkerchief

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

hatless

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

HITS

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

hurrying

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

imitation

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “It was a patriotic duty,” replied Tom.

JOLLY

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

main

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

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

patriotic

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

From this reading “It was a patriotic duty,” replied Tom.

paused

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

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”

perfect

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

persons

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

plenty

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

proceeded

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

puffing

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

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

pursuit

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

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

regain

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a patriotic duty,” replied Tom.

Say

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

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

sight

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

slowed

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

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

slowly

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

station

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

striving

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

there

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

thoroughfare

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

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

TOM

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

train

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

tried

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

two

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

From this reading The station was in sight, a short two blocks distant, and as there was plenty of time they proceeded slowly, striving to regain composure before facing the eyes of their fellows.

walk

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

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading TOM HITS A “JOLLY CRASH” They tried to give the appearance of persons hurrying to the station to catch a train, but, since Tom was hatless and frequently applied a handkerchief to his flushed face, the imitation was far from perfect.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When their course took them from the main thoroughfare Clif cast a look behind and announced that the pursuit had ceased, and they slowed to a walk, Tom puffing considerably.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”

window

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

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Say,” asked Clif while Tom paused to examine his countenance in a window, “what the dickens did you do that for, anyway?”