Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Black Jack
Black Jack

Chapter XXXVII

Cover illustration for Black Jack
Context Illustration Reading 1/66 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.
It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.
A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.
His mental troubles made him crisp to the point of rudeness.
"I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Black Jack

Chapter XXXVII

Reading 1/66 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.
Line 2
It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.
Line 3
A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.
Line 4
His mental troubles made him crisp to the point of rudeness.
Line 5
"I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.

Learner Dictionary

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

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “His mental troubles made him crisp to the point of rudeness.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

accepted

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

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

admission

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

aristocratic

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

barred

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

best

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

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

busy

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

From this reading "I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.

cigar

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

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

comment

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

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

crisp

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

From this reading His mental troubles made him crisp to the point of rudeness.

day

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

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

face

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

fresh

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

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

friends

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

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

gray

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

hawklike

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

head

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.

I'm

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

From this reading "I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

made

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

From this reading His mental troubles made him crisp to the point of rudeness.

man

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

manner

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

many

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

McGuire

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

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

mental

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

From this reading His mental troubles made him crisp to the point of rudeness.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

Mr

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

From this reading "I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

office

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

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

ordinary

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

perturbed

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

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

places

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading His mental troubles made him crisp to the point of rudeness.

procured

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

proffered

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

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

proof

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

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

refused

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

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

rudeness

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

From this reading His mental troubles made him crisp to the point of rudeness.

said

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

From this reading "I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.

secured

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

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

see

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

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

Sheriff

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

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

state

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

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

superior

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

thanks

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

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading "I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading It secured him admission on this day to the office of Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

tolerable

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

From this reading "I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.

troubles

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

From this reading His mental troubles made him crisp to the point of rudeness.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

Waters

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

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary man was barred.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I'm a tolerable busy man, Mr.--Waters, I think they said your name was.