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 JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
AFFAIR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
Amalie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "I think I can assign another motive for the passing off of the dead for the living, and I will solve the mystery.
aroused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
assign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think I can assign another motive for the passing off of the dead for the living, and I will solve the mystery.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
BETTER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There did remain one remote chance that the motive was different from the one indicated, but such a possibility was very remote.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I think I can assign another motive for the passing off of the dead for the living, and I will solve the mystery.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There did remain one remote chance that the motive was different from the one indicated, but such a possibility was very remote.
cheerily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
correct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
DEEP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
deepest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
depths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
DETECTIVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There did remain one remote chance that the motive was different from the one indicated, but such a possibility was very remote.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There did remain one remote chance that the motive was different from the one indicated, but such a possibility was very remote.
distracted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I think I can assign another motive for the passing off of the dead for the living, and I will solve the mystery.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There did remain one remote chance that the motive was different from the one indicated, but such a possibility was very remote.
GAME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
hero
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
HURRIED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I think I can assign another motive for the passing off of the dead for the living, and I will solve the mystery.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
indicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There did remain one remote chance that the motive was different from the one indicated, but such a possibility was very remote.
INTEREST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
JACK'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think I can assign another motive for the passing off of the dead for the living, and I will solve the mystery.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
lowest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
MESSAGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
missing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
motive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There did remain one remote chance that the motive was different from the one indicated, but such a possibility was very remote.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think I can assign another motive for the passing off of the dead for the living, and I will solve the mystery.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
NEW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think I can assign another motive for the passing off of the dead for the living, and I will solve the mystery.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There did remain one remote chance that the motive was different from the one indicated, but such a possibility was very remote.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
passing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think I can assign another motive for the passing off of the dead for the living, and I will solve the mystery.
PLAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
PLAYS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
possibility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There did remain one remote chance that the motive was different from the one indicated, but such a possibility was very remote.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
premonitions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There did remain one remote chance that the motive was different from the one indicated, but such a possibility was very remote.
remote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There did remain one remote chance that the motive was different from the one indicated, but such a possibility was very remote.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
SCHEME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
SHOTS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
solve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think I can assign another motive for the passing off of the dead for the living, and I will solve the mystery.
SPANISH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
Speir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
stirred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading There did remain one remote chance that the motive was different from the one indicated, but such a possibility was very remote.
THATconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There did remain one remote chance that the motive was different from the one indicated, but such a possibility was very remote.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I think I can assign another motive for the passing off of the dead for the living, and I will solve the mystery.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
TOLDnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
UNMASKED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK'S DEEP INTEREST IN THE AFFAIR--A NEW GAME--BETTER PLAY--SHOTS THAT TOLD--A SCHEME UNMASKED--A HURRIED MESSAGE--THE DETECTIVE PLAYS SPANISH.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
veritably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not necessary to state that our hero was aroused and stirred to the very lowest depths of his nature.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother:
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I think I can assign another motive for the passing off of the dead for the living, and I will solve the mystery.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Our hero had the deepest possible interest in the missing girl, and he did feel that if the mother's premonitions were correct that it would have been far better if indeed the dead had been veritably Amalie Speir; but as long as there was a possibility our hero was determined not to give up, and he said cheerily to the almost distracted mother: