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Alone in London
Alone in London

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for Alone in London
Context Illustration Reading 1/11 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
NEW BOOTS.
It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.
He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.
He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.
She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Alone in London

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/11 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
NEW BOOTS.
Line 2
It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.
Line 3
He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.
Line 4
He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.
Line 5
She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.”

Neither determiner US /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading “He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.”

Pinched noun US /ˈpinched/

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

From this reading “It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.”

Start noun US /start/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.”

All words in this reading · 92

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 He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

ambitious

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

aunt

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

BOOTS

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

From this reading NEW BOOTS.

buy

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

came

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

Charlotte

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

coming

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

courage

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

day

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

early

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

endurance

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

enough

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

fastidious

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

get

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

heroic

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

intended

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

January

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

knew

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

manage

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

mean

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

money

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

NEW

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

From this reading NEW BOOTS.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

off

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

old

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

only

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

patched

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

pinchednounUS /ˈpinched/

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

place

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

purchase

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

Saturday

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

scrape

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

sent

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

several

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

shillings

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

shop

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

startnounUS /start/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

started

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

starved

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

Stratford

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

three

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

together

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

Tony

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

town

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

train

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

two

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

up

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

very

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

weeks

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

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

well

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

Whitechapel

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

From this reading He did not mean to buy them at a shop; for he knew a place in Whitechapel where boots quite good enough for him were to be had for two or three shillings.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was several weeks before Tony could scrape together enough money for his new boots, though he pinched and starved himself with heroic courage and endurance.

word

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

From this reading She had sent word she was coming the last Saturday in January; and early in the afternoon of that day, before the train could come in from Stratford, Tony started off to the place where he intended to make his purchase.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading He was neither ambitious nor fastidious; old boots patched up would do very well to start with, if he could only manage to get them before aunt Charlotte came up to town again.