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Tom Sawyer, Detective
Tom Sawyer, Detective

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for Tom Sawyer, Detective
Context Illustration Reading 1/56 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.
Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.
It was the same up at the jail.
We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.
And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.
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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.

Tom Sawyer, Detective

Chapter XI

Reading 1/56 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.
Line 2
Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.
Line 3
It was the same up at the jail.
Line 4
We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.
Line 5
And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

Learner Dictionary

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

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.”

MURDERERS noun US /ˈmurderers/

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

From this reading “TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was the same up at the jail.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.”

Whenever conjunction US /weˈnevər/

at any time that; every time that

From this reading “And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.”

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 TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

afraid

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

all

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

From this reading TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

awful

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

Benny

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

best

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

break

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

carry

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

cheerful

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

cheerfuler

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

considerable

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

day

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

DISCOVERS

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

From this reading TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

down

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

dreary

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

fagged

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

feel

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

got

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

hard

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

From this reading TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

head

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

heart

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

house

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

jail

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

From this reading It was the same up at the jail.

keep

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

kept

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

kill

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

kind

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

knowed

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

load

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

looking

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

man

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

miserable

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

month

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

From this reading TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

much

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

murderer's

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

MURDERERSnounUS /ˈmurderers/

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

From this reading TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

old

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

only

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

people

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

persuade

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

PoornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

said

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was the same up at the jail.

SAWYER

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

From this reading TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

say

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

see

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

shaky

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

shook

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

sleep

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

sleeping

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

talk

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

there

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

things

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

TOM

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

From this reading TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

tried

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

troubles

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

up

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

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

walking

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

warn't

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

way

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

Well

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

From this reading TOM SAWYER DISCOVERS THE MURDERERS Well, that was a hard month on us all.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

wheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/

at any time that; every time that

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading We went up every day to see the old people, but it was awful dreary, because the old man warn’t sleeping much, and was walking in his sleep considerable and so he got to looking fagged and miserable, and his mind got shaky, and we all got afraid his troubles would break him down and kill him.

wouldn't

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

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Poor Benny, she kept up the best she could, and me and Tom tried to keep things cheerful there at the house, but it kind of went for nothing, as you may say.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading And whenever we tried to persuade him to feel cheerfuler, he only shook his head and said if we only knowed what it was to carry around a murderer’s load in your heart we wouldn’t talk that way.