Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Purchase Price
The Purchase Price

Chapter XXIX

Cover illustration for The Purchase Price
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN OLD ST.
GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.
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.

The Purchase Price

Chapter XXIX

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN OLD ST.
Line 2
GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.
Line 3
Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.
Line 4
He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.
Line 5
For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

Learner Dictionary

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

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.”

Surprised noun US /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.”

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 Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

abashed

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

From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

Accordingly

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

allowed

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

beckoning

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

From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.

boat

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

bound

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

business

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

cap

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

From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

certain

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

clad

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

From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.

coming

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

From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.

cooperage

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

custom

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

daily

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

day

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

definite

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

distinguished

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

From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.

dock

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

down

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

duties

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

find

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

From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.

gang-plank

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

From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.

GENEVIEVE

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

giving

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

hand

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

handsomely

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

From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

Hector

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

important

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN OLD ST.

infringe

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

instant

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

From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

jerked

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

From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

lady

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

From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.

land

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

landing

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

late

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

line

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

Mississippi

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

more

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

much

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

From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

off

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

From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

OLD

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

From this reading IN OLD ST.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

post

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

present

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

purpose

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

reason

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

saw

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

From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.

smiling

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

From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

snubbing

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

special

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

speech

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

From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

ST

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

From this reading IN OLD ST.

steamer

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

surprisednounUS /surprised/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

then

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

From this reading For an instant, abashed, he could find no speech; then suddenly he jerked off his cap, and stood smiling.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

touched

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

up

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

waited

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading He was much surprised when he saw coming from the gang-plank, and beckoning to him, a distinguished and handsomely clad lady.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading GENEVIEVE It was the daily custom of Hector to be upon hand at the dock for the landing of each and every steamer which touched at St. Genevieve, bound either up or down the Mississippi, and his business of cooperage never was allowed to infringe upon these more important duties.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

winter

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

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Accordingly, on a certain day late in the winter, although he had no special reason to be present, Hector was among those who waited for the boat to land, with no purpose more definite than that of giving a hand with her line at a snubbing post.