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Messenger No. 48
Messenger No. 48

Chapter XXV

Cover illustration for Messenger No. 48
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.
Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.
Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.
"What a fool I'm making of myself!" he exclaimed.
"The idea of standing here raving when I ought to be trying to mend matters."
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Messenger No. 48

Chapter XXV

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.
Line 2
Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.
Line 3
Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.
Line 4
"What a fool I'm making of myself!" he exclaimed.
Line 5
"The idea of standing here raving when I ought to be trying to mend matters."

Learner Dictionary

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

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.”

Excited adjective US /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/

very enthusiastic or eager

From this reading “Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.”

Fool noun US /fool/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"What a fool I'm making of myself!" he exclaimed.”

Gentleman noun US /ˈgentleman/

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

From this reading “Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"The idea of standing here raving when I ought to be trying to mend matters."”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “"What a fool I'm making of myself!" he exclaimed.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “"The idea of standing here raving when I ought to be trying to mend matters."”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.”

Standing noun US /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading “"The idea of standing here raving when I ought to be trying to mend matters."”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.”

All words in this reading · 94

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 Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

anger

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

any

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

bewilderment

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

breath

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

came

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

cease

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

claimed

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

cook

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

difference

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

doesn't

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

down

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/

very enthusiastic or eager

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

exclaimed

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

From this reading "What a fool I'm making of myself!" he exclaimed.

fellow's

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

five

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

foolnounUS /fool/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "What a fool I'm making of myself!" he exclaimed.

forced

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

gang

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

gazing

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "The idea of standing here raving when I ought to be trying to mend matters."

hoping

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

humiliating

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "The idea of standing here raving when I ought to be trying to mend matters."

I'm

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

From this reading "What a fool I'm making of myself!" he exclaimed.

idea

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

ire

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

Jet

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

JIM

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

lack

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

lake

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

making

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

From this reading "What a fool I'm making of myself!" he exclaimed.

managed

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

material

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

matters

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

From this reading "The idea of standing here raving when I ought to be trying to mend matters."

mend

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

From this reading "The idea of standing here raving when I ought to be trying to mend matters."

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

minutes

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

motionless

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading "What a fool I'm making of myself!" he exclaimed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading "The idea of standing here raving when I ought to be trying to mend matters."

particularly

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

place

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

raving

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

From this reading "The idea of standing here raving when I ought to be trying to mend matters."

rule

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

run

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

say

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

Scolding

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

sheer

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

silent

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

situation

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

skillful

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

some

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading "The idea of standing here raving when I ought to be trying to mend matters."

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

Then

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

there

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

things

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

tricked

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

trying

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

From this reading "The idea of standing here raving when I ought to be trying to mend matters."

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

very

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

vigorous

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading JIM The idea that he had been tricked by one of the gang he was hoping to run down seemed particularly humiliating, and during at least five minutes Jet stood silent and motionless gazing across the lake.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What a fool I'm making of myself!" he exclaimed.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Scolding doesn't as a rule, make any material difference in a fellow's situation, and this Jet came to understand when he was forced to cease from sheer lack of breath.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Then anger took the place of bewilderment, and he managed to say some very vigorous things which might have excited the ire of the gentleman who claimed to be such a skillful cook had he been there to hear.