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A Chance for Himself
A Chance for Himself

Chapter XXVIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE CULVERT AND THE CORNFIELD.
ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.
It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.
The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.
He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Chance for Himself

Chapter XXVIII

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE CULVERT AND THE CORNFIELD.
Line 2
ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.
Line 3
It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.
Line 4
The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.
Line 5
He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

Learner Dictionary

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

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.”

Running noun US /ˈrunning/

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

From this reading “He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.”

Whilst conjunction US /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading “He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

ALL

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

From this reading ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.

amusement

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE CULVERT AND THE CORNFIELD.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

baffled

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

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

boy

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

canal

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

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

capture

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

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

companions

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

CORNFIELD

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

From this reading THE CULVERT AND THE CORNFIELD.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

CULVERT

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

From this reading THE CULVERT AND THE CORNFIELD.

delayed

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

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

delays

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

From this reading ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.

dispensed

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

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

dog

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

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

drowning

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

experienced

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

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

fall

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

flashed

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

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

gave

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

From this reading ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.

get

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

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

idea

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

Jack

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

From this reading ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.

just

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

From this reading ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

Lion

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

masonry

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

moment

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

needed

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

From this reading ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

now

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

From this reading ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.

occasion

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

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

occurred

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

often

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

once

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

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

playing

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

practised

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

pretending

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

pursuit

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

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

rescued

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

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

resorting

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

runningnounUS /ˈrunning/

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

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

seen

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

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

serve

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

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

skill

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

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

swimmer

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

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE CULVERT AND THE CORNFIELD.

then

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

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

threw

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

trick

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

usually

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

From this reading The dog that usually rescued him could be dispensed with on this occasion; but the skill of the experienced swimmer might serve him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.

water

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading ALL these delays gave Jack time, and time was what he needed just now.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading He had seen the culvert whilst running towards the canal; and even then the thought had flashed through his mind that, if he could once get into it, pursuit might be baffled, and his capture delayed, for at least a little while.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was not until the moment when, pretending to fall, he threw himself from the masonry of the culvert, that the idea occurred to him of resorting to a little trick which he had often practised in the water with Lion, for the amusement of his companions, and of playing the part of a drowning boy.