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Ethelyn's Mistake
Ethelyn's Mistake

Chapter XXVIII

Cover illustration for Ethelyn's Mistake
Context Illustration Reading 1/13 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.
There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.
Now, however, matters began to look a little serious.
Crowds of men came frequently to the farmhouse and were closeted with Richard.
Tim Jones rode up and down the country, electioneering for "Dick."
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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.

Ethelyn's Mistake

Chapter XXVIII

Reading 1/13 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.
Line 2
There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.
Line 3
Now, however, matters began to look a little serious.
Line 4
Crowds of men came frequently to the farmhouse and were closeted with Richard.
Line 5
Tim Jones rode up and down the country, electioneering for "Dick."

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Now, however, matters began to look a little serious.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.”

Dick noun US /dick/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Tim Jones rode up and down the country, electioneering for "Dick."”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “Now, however, matters began to look a little serious.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Now, however, matters began to look a little serious.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Now, however, matters began to look a little serious.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.”

All words in this reading · 69

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

afloat

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Now, however, matters began to look a little serious.

boy

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

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

came

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

From this reading Crowds of men came frequently to the farmhouse and were closeted with Richard.

chosen

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

closeted

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

From this reading Crowds of men came frequently to the farmhouse and were closeted with Richard.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

country

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

From this reading Tim Jones rode up and down the country, electioneering for "Dick."

Crowds

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

From this reading Crowds of men came frequently to the farmhouse and were closeted with Richard.

Dick

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

From this reading Tim Jones rode up and down the country, electioneering for "Dick."

down

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

From this reading Tim Jones rode up and down the country, electioneering for "Dick."

dreaming

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

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

elect

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

electioneering

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

From this reading Tim Jones rode up and down the country, electioneering for "Dick."

farmhouse

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

From this reading Crowds of men came frequently to the farmhouse and were closeted with Richard.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

frequently

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

From this reading Crowds of men came frequently to the farmhouse and were closeted with Richard.

GOVERNOR

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

honor

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

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Now, however, matters began to look a little serious.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

Iowa

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

Jones

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

From this reading Tim Jones rode up and down the country, electioneering for "Dick."

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Now, however, matters began to look a little serious.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Now, however, matters began to look a little serious.

man

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

Markham

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

matters

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

From this reading Now, however, matters began to look a little serious.

men

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

From this reading Crowds of men came frequently to the farmhouse and were closeted with Richard.

Mrs

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

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

mythical

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

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

new

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

Now

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

From this reading Now, however, matters began to look a little serious.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Crowds of men came frequently to the farmhouse and were closeted with Richard.

once

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

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

regarded

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

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

Richard

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

rode

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

From this reading Tim Jones rode up and down the country, electioneering for "Dick."

rumors

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

serious

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

From this reading Now, however, matters began to look a little serious.

similar

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

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

store

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

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There had been similar rumors once before, but Mrs. Markham had regarded them as mythical, never dreaming that such an honor could be in store for her boy.

there

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

Tim

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

From this reading Tim Jones rode up and down the country, electioneering for "Dick."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

up

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

From this reading Tim Jones rode up and down the country, electioneering for "Dick."

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Crowds of men came frequently to the farmhouse and were closeted with Richard.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading THE GOVERNOR They were to elect a new one in Iowa, and there were rumors afloat that Richard Markham would be the man chosen by his party.