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Paul Rundel: A Novel
Paul Rundel: A Novel

Chapter XXXVI

Cover illustration for Paul Rundel: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
|THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.
Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.
Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.
Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.
“Here's one without a stamp,” Jack smiled.
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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.

Paul Rundel: A Novel

Chapter XXXVI

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
|THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.
Line 2
Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.
Line 3
Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.
Line 4
Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.
Line 5
“Here's one without a stamp,” Jack smiled.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.”

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “|THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

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

From this reading “Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.”

Whistle noun US /ˈwhistle/

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

From this reading “Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading ““Here's one without a stamp,” Jack smiled.”

All words in this reading · 72

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 |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.

box

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

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

boy

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

From this reading Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.

bring

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

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.

came

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

carrier

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

carrier's

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

From this reading Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.

contents

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

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

day

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

distribute

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

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

family

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

father

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

From this reading Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

galvanized

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

gate

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

gone

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

From this reading Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.

heard

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

From this reading Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.

Here's

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

From this reading “Here's one without a stamp,” Jack smiled.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.

Hoag

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

From this reading Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.

holding

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

From this reading Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.

horseback

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

house

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

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

Jack

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

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

just

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

From this reading Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.

key

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

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

letters

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

LittlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

loved

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

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

mail-box

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

near

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

once

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

papers

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

passing

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

placed

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

Presently

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

From this reading Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.

recipients

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

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

sat

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

From this reading Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.

several

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

From this reading Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.

sheet-iron

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

smiled

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

From this reading “Here's one without a stamp,” Jack smiled.

stamp

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

From this reading “Here's one without a stamp,” Jack smiled.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

tannery

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Presently the boy came in at the gate holding several letters in his hands, and he brought them to his father.

THERE

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

various

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

From this reading Little Jack loved to take the key and open the box after the carrier had passed and bring the contents to the house and distribute it to the various recipients.

veranda

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

From this reading Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.

waiting

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

From this reading Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading |THERE was a galvanized sheet-iron mail-box near the gate of the tannery, and in it once a day a carrier passing on horseback placed the letters and papers which came for the family.

whistlenounUS /ˈwhistle/

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

From this reading Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Hoag sat on the veranda one afternoon waiting for Jack, who had just gone to the box, having heard the carrier's whistle.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Here's one without a stamp,” Jack smiled.