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Fresh Leaves
Fresh Leaves

Chapter XXII

Cover illustration for Fresh Leaves
Context Illustration Reading 1/6 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.
This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.
“That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.
Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.
So, I don’t ask what wages other tailors give; that don’t matter to me.
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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.

Fresh Leaves

Chapter XXII

Reading 1/6 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.
Line 2
This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.
Line 3
“That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.
Line 4
Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.
Line 5
So, I don’t ask what wages other tailors give; that don’t matter to me.

Learner Dictionary

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

Apprentice noun US /əˈprɛntɪs/

a person learning a trade from an experienced worker

From this reading “This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.”

Disgrace noun US /dɪsˈɡreɪs/

shame caused by unacceptable behaviour

From this reading ““That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.”

Pearl noun US /pɜːrl/

a smooth round object formed inside a shell and valued as a jewel

From this reading ““Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.”

Vow noun US /vaʊ/

a serious promise

From this reading “Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.”

Wages plural noun US /ˈweɪdʒɪz/

money or a reward earned for work

From this reading ““That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading ““That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.”

All words in this reading · 92

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 This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

apprenticenounUS /əˈprɛntɪs/

a person learning a trade from an experienced worker

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

ask

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

From this reading So, I don’t ask what wages other tailors give; that don’t matter to me.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

became

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

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

boss

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

button-holes

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

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

disgracenounUS /dɪsˈɡreɪs/

shame caused by unacceptable behaviour

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

don't

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

From this reading So, I don’t ask what wages other tailors give; that don’t matter to me.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

eyes

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

Ford

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

give

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

From this reading So, I don’t ask what wages other tailors give; that don’t matter to me.

gladden

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

God

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

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

grace

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

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

held

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

inspection

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

Jacob

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

John

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

keep

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

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

light

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

like

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

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

lining

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

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

Lucy's

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

made

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

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

man

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

master

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

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

matter

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

From this reading So, I don’t ask what wages other tailors give; that don’t matter to me.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading So, I don’t ask what wages other tailors give; that don’t matter to me.

mighty

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

minute

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

more

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

Mr

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

now

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

occasion

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

old

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

other

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

From this reading So, I don’t ask what wages other tailors give; that don’t matter to me.

paid

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

particular

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

pearlnounUS /pɜːrl/

a smooth round object formed inside a shell and valued as a jewel

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

Pray

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

Pray's

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

rows

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

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

said

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

seed

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

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

shop

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

small

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

smooth

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

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So, I don’t ask what wages other tailors give; that don’t matter to me.

stitching

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

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

strong

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

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

tailors

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

From this reading So, I don’t ask what wages other tailors give; that don’t matter to me.

thank

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

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

That's

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

then

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

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

too

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

up

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

Very

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

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

vest

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

vests

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

vownounUS /vaʊ/

a serious promise

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

wagesplural nounUS /ˈweɪdʒɪz/

money or a reward earned for work

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

well

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

From this reading “Very well done; button-holes strong and even, lining smooth; stitching, like rows of seed pearl.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading So, I don’t ask what wages other tailors give; that don’t matter to me.

won't

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.

work

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

From this reading This is no apprentice work,” said Mr. John Pray, as he held Lucy’s vests up to the light for a more minute inspection.

workman

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

From this reading Well, I made a vow then, and thank God I have had grace to keep it, that if ever John Pray became a master workman, he would do as he would be done by.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading “That’s a vest, now, as is a vest; won’t disgrace John Pray’s shop; it would gladden even the eyes of my old boss, Jacob Ford; and mighty particular he was, too, and mighty small wages the old man paid, as I have occasion to know.