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The spokesman's secretary
The spokesman's secretary

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for The spokesman's secretary
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN WHICH I PLAY A BIG SCENE DEAR MOM:
Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.
Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.
The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.
When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.
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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 spokesman's secretary

Chapter XI

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN WHICH I PLAY A BIG SCENE DEAR MOM:
Line 2
Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.
Line 3
Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.
Line 4
The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.
Line 5
When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.”

Honest adjective US /ˈɑnɪst/

truthful and trustworthy

From this reading “The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.”

All words in this reading · 105

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 IN WHICH I PLAY A BIG SCENE DEAR MOM:

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

affairs

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

all

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

baby

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

better

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

BIG

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

From this reading IN WHICH I PLAY A BIG SCENE DEAR MOM:

blue

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

buying

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

clothes

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

croup

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

DEAR

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

From this reading IN WHICH I PLAY A BIG SCENE DEAR MOM:

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

don't

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

From this reading The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.

economical

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

Edgerton

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

girl

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

give

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

going

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

got

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

hard

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

hate

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

head

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

heart

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

honestadjectiveUS /ˈɑnɪst/

truthful and trustworthy

From this reading The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading IN WHICH I PLAY A BIG SCENE DEAR MOM:

ideas

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN WHICH I PLAY A BIG SCENE DEAR MOM:

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

job

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

just

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

letters

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

like

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

manicure

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

MOM

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

From this reading IN WHICH I PLAY A BIG SCENE DEAR MOM:

Mr

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

much

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

new

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

newspapers

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

now

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

out

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

people

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

From this reading The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.

plain

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

PLAY

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

From this reading IN WHICH I PLAY A BIG SCENE DEAR MOM:

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

Pop

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

really

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

reason

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

From this reading The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.

SCENE

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

From this reading IN WHICH I PLAY A BIG SCENE DEAR MOM:

seem

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

From this reading The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.

seems

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

Spokeslady

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

Spokesman

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

stories

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

straight

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

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

TellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

thank

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

too

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

truth

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

try

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

trying

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

used

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The reason is because it don’t seem to me like people was honest like I thought they was.

Well

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When I told Mr. Edgerton to have the Spokesman give out to the newspapers all them stories about Him and the Spokeslady being so economical and not buying no new clothes I thought They was really going to not do it and it was all going to be straight.

WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading IN WHICH I PLAY A BIG SCENE DEAR MOM:

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

work

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

world

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

From this reading Tell him I thank him for his fine ideas but the truth is just now I have not got no heart for the work I have been trying to do it seems to me like I had better just be a plain manicure girl like I used to be and not try to understand these great world affairs that is too much for my poor head.

writing

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

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Well I hate to be writing you blue letters and you having such a hard time what with the baby having the croup and Pop not sure of his job.