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Self-Doomed: A Novel
Self-Doomed: A Novel

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for Self-Doomed: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.
On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.
Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.
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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.

Self-Doomed: A Novel

Chapter VII

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.
Line 2
On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.
Line 3
During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.
Line 4
A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.
Line 5
Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

Learner Dictionary

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

Accounts noun US /ˈaccounts/

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

From this reading “During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.”

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.”

Beginning noun US /ˈbeginning/

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

From this reading “During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.”

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.”

Required noun US /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.”

Trifle noun US /ˈtraɪfəl/

something that needs very little effort

From this reading “During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.”

Unless conjunction US /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading “On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.”

All words in this reading · 93

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 During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

accountsnounUS /ˈaccounts/

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

ADOPT

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

From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.

afforded

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

apron

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

ASconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

balanced

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

business

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

From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.

case

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

From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.

clock

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

down

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

end

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

executed

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

FATHER

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

From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.

find

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

FINK

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

From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

generally

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

GIDEON

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

From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.

hour

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

jump

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

lay

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

made

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

man

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

From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.

MASTER

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

From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

moment

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

o'clock

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

off

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

out

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

pleasure

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

From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.

PROPOSES

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

From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.

real

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

From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.

red-hot

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

repairs

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

requirednounUS /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

richer

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

satisfaction

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

Saturdays

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

seat

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

seldom

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

shop

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

strike

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

striking

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

task

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

there

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

three

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.

tools

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

triflenounUS /ˈtraɪfəl/

something that needs very little effort

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

up

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

urgently

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

week

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

From this reading During the afternoon I generally made up my accounts and balanced my books for the week--a task which afforded me satisfaction, for it was seldom I did not find myself a trifle richer at the end of the week than I had been at the beginning.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading A business is a real pleasure to a man when that is the case.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

whisk

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.

WOLF

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

From this reading GIDEON WOLF PROPOSES TO ADOPT MASTER FINK AS HIS FATHER.

work

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

From this reading On Saturdays, unless there were repairs to be executed which were urgently required to be done, there was no work in my shop after three o'clock.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Gideon Wolf, the moment the hour began to strike, would lay down his tools as though they were red-hot, jump from his seat, whisk off his apron, and be out of the shop before the clock had done striking.