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The Cottage of Delight: A Novel
The Cottage of Delight: A Novel

Chapter XXVI

Cover illustration for The Cottage of Delight: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.
No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.
"Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.
The house was a red-brick structure which in former days had been a residence.
The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.
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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.

The Cottage of Delight: A Novel

Chapter XXVI

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.
Line 2
No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.
Line 3
"Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.
Line 4
The house was a red-brick structure which in former days had been a residence.
Line 5
The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.”

Ignorant noun US /ˈignorant/

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

From this reading “No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “"Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.”

Relieved noun US /ˈrelieved/

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

From this reading “His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.”

All words in this reading · 97

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 "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

advertiser

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

all

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

breakfast

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

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

Builders

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

carpenter's

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

certain

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

city

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

clothing

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

Contractors

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

custodians

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

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

days

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

From this reading The house was a red-brick structure which in former days had been a residence.

delay

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

difficulty

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

Dora

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

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

dry-cleaning

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

East

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

establishment

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

fared

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

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

find

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

floor

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

floors

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

former

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

From this reading The house was a red-brick structure which in former days had been a residence.

forth

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

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

greatly

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

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

house

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

From this reading The house was a red-brick structure which in former days had been a residence.

ignorantnounUS /ˈignorant/

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

immediately

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

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

intricate

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

Italian

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

Jewish

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

John

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

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

list

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

makers

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

managed

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

more

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

near

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

occupied

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

office

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

offices

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

overmuch

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

Pilcher

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

possibly

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

read

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

red-brick

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

From this reading The house was a red-brick structure which in former days had been a residence.

Reed

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

relievednounUS /ˈrelieved/

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

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

residence

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

From this reading The house was a red-brick structure which in former days had been a residence.

river

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

search

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

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

second

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

shirt-waists

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

shop

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

sign

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

skirts

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

Street

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

structure

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

From this reading The house was a red-brick structure which in former days had been a residence.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

Thirty-third

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

From this reading "Pilcher & Reed, Contractors and Builders," as their sign read, had their offices over a carpenter's shop in East Thirty-third Street near the river.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

two

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

used

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

From this reading The contractors occupied all of the second floor, the two floors above being used by certain Jewish makers of shirt-waists and skirts, and an Italian establishment for the dry-cleaning of clothing.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The house was a red-brick structure which in former days had been a residence.

ways

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

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The house was a red-brick structure which in former days had been a residence.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.

work

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

From this reading His mind greatly relieved by having such good custodians for Dora, John fared forth immediately after breakfast in search of work.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading No one could possibly have been more ignorant of the intricate ways of the great city than he, and yet he managed to find the office of the first advertiser on his list without overmuch delay or difficulty.