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Captain Ravenshaw
Captain Ravenshaw

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for Captain Ravenshaw
Context Illustration Reading 1/48 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE RASCAL EMPLOYS HIS WITS.
"What shall I do?
I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.
I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.
He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Captain Ravenshaw

Chapter XII

Reading 1/48 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE RASCAL EMPLOYS HIS WITS.
Line 2
"What shall I do?
/wʌt ʃæl aɪ duː/
Line 3
I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.
Line 4
I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.
Line 5
He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “"What shall I do?”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.”

All words in this reading · 75

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 I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

accounted

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

acquaintance

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

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

any

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

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

attempt

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

attendant

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

better

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

borrow

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

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

borrowed

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

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

boy

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

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

carry

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

credit

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

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

day

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

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "What shall I do?

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

EMPLOYS

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

From this reading THE RASCAL EMPLOYS HIS WITS.

followed

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

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

garden

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

Gregory

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE RASCAL EMPLOYS HIS WITS.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "What shall I do?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

instrument

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

Jerningham

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

Jerningham's

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

knew

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

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

less

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

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

letter

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

London

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

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

man

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

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

more

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

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

perchance

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

presence

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

Prodigal

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

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

purse

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

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

RASCAL

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

From this reading THE RASCAL EMPLOYS HIS WITS.

Ravenshaw

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

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

recognised

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

sent

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

serving-man's

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "What shall I do?

slightest

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

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

supposed

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE RASCAL EMPLOYS HIS WITS.

there's

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

From this reading I can borrow no more of my credit: there's not any of my acquaintance, man or boy, but I have borrowed more or less of.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

thus

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

unexpected

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

want

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What shall I do?

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.

withdrawn

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

From this reading He had recognised Gregory as Jerningham's attendant, but he supposed Jerningham had sent the man, for want of a better instrument, to attempt what Ravenshaw himself had withdrawn from, or perchance to carry a letter; he thus accounted for the serving-man's unexpected presence in the garden.

WITS

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

From this reading THE RASCAL EMPLOYS HIS WITS.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading I would I knew where to take a good purse."--_The London Prodigal._ Ravenshaw had not the slightest thought that he was being followed, or had been followed during the day.