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Dross
Dross

Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

Chapter 24 of Dross is here in full — 167 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Paris Again "Le courage commence l'oeuvre et ...
" The same afternoon John Turner and I quitted Hopton.
I with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.
There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.
I was engaged, moreover, in affairs intimately concerning Lucille.
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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.

Dross

Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

Chapter 24 of Dross is here in full — 167 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Paris Again "Le courage commence l'oeuvre et ...
Line 2
" The same afternoon John Turner and I quitted Hopton.
Line 3
I with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.
Line 4
There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.
Line 5
I was engaged, moreover, in affairs intimately concerning Lucille.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

affairs noun US /əˈferz/

matters of personal concern

From this reading “I was engaged, moreover, in affairs intimately concerning Lucille.”

commence verb US /kəˈmens/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading “Paris Again "Le courage commence l'oeuvre et ...”

concerning verb US /kənˈsɜːrnɪŋ/

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading “I was engaged, moreover, in affairs intimately concerning Lucille.”

engaged adjective US /enˈɡeɪdʒd/

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading “I was engaged, moreover, in affairs intimately concerning Lucille.”

intimately adverb US /ˈɪntəmətli/

in a close manner

From this reading “I was engaged, moreover, in affairs intimately concerning Lucille.”

moreover adverb US /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading “I was engaged, moreover, in affairs intimately concerning Lucille.”

surest adjective US /ˈʃʊrɪst/

superlative of “sure” — having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading “There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.”

Turner noun US /ˈtɜːrnər/

United States slave and insurrectionist who in 1831 led a rebellion of slaves in Virginia; he was captured and executed (1800-1831)

From this reading “" The same afternoon John Turner and I quitted Hopton.”

All words in this reading · 52

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.

actionnounUS /ˈækʃən/

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

affairsnounUS /əˈferz/

matters of personal concern

From this reading I was engaged, moreover, in affairs intimately concerning Lucille.

afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading " The same afternoon John Turner and I quitted Hopton.

AgainadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading Paris Again "Le courage commence l'oeuvre et ...

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading I with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading " The same afternoon John Turner and I quitted Hopton.

antidotes

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

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading I with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.

commenceverbUS /kəˈmens/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Paris Again "Le courage commence l'oeuvre et ...

concerningverbUS /kənˈsɜːrnɪŋ/

-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to

From this reading I was engaged, moreover, in affairs intimately concerning Lucille.

couragenounUS /ˈkɜːrədʒ/

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading Paris Again "Le courage commence l'oeuvre et ...

d'ailleurs

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

From this reading I with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.

doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

engagedadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒd/

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading I was engaged, moreover, in affairs intimately concerning Lucille.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading I with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.

et

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

From this reading Paris Again "Le courage commence l'oeuvre et ...

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading I with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.

heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading I with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.

Hopton

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

From this reading " The same afternoon John Turner and I quitted Hopton.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading " The same afternoon John Turner and I quitted Hopton.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I was engaged, moreover, in affairs intimately concerning Lucille.

instantnounUS /ˈɪnstənt/

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

intimatelyadverbUS /ˈɪntəmətli/

in a close manner

From this reading I was engaged, moreover, in affairs intimately concerning Lucille.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading " The same afternoon John Turner and I quitted Hopton.

l'oeuvre

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

From this reading Paris Again "Le courage commence l'oeuvre et ...

LenounUS /lə/

a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)

From this reading Paris Again "Le courage commence l'oeuvre et ...

leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading I with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.

Lucille

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

From this reading I with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.

moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading I was engaged, moreover, in affairs intimately concerning Lucille.

neednounUS /niːd/

a condition requiring relief

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

ParisnounUS /ˈperɪs/

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading Paris Again "Le courage commence l'oeuvre et ...

quitted

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

From this reading " The same afternoon John Turner and I quitted Hopton.

sadadjectiveUS /sæd/

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading " The same afternoon John Turner and I quitted Hopton.

surestadjectiveUS /ˈʃʊrɪst/

superlative of “sure” — having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading " The same afternoon John Turner and I quitted Hopton.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

TurnernounUS /ˈtɜːrnər/

United States slave and insurrectionist who in 1831 led a rebellion of slaves in Virginia; he was captured and executed (1800-1831)

From this reading " The same afternoon John Turner and I quitted Hopton.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading I with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I with a heavy enough heart, which, _d'ailleurs_, I always carried when leaving Lucille.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading There was, however, work to be done, and a need for instant action is one of the surest antidotes to sad thought.

Chapter 24 of Dross by Henry Seton Merriman holds 167 sentences, grouped into 34 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 24 of Dross contain?

Chapter 24 holds 167 sentences of Dross, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 24 of Dross by Henry Seton Merriman exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 167 sentences, grouped into 34 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 24 of Dross?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 24 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 24 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Dross

Common questions about reading Dross by Henry Seton Merriman on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Dross?

Yes. All 3930 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #20243 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Dross is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #20243, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Dross take to read?

About 327 minutes of reading across 786 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Dross section by section

How to work through Dross section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 28 chapters of Dross to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Dross

Words and structures a reader meets early in Dross, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Destinee
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dross; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Manieres
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dross; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Briser
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dross; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Refusant
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dross; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.