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Fern's Hollow
Fern's Hollow

Chapter V

Cover illustration for Fern's Hollow
Context Illustration Reading 1/11 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE RED GRAVEL PIT.
At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.
Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.
He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!
Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Fern's Hollow

Chapter V

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

Line 1
THE RED GRAVEL PIT.
Line 2
At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.
Line 3
Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.
Line 4
He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!
Line 5
Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!”

Discharged verb US /dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒd/

released from a duty or job

From this reading “He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!”

Lest conjunction US /lest/

in order that something should not happen

From this reading “Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!”

PIT noun US /pɪt/

A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.

From this reading “THE RED GRAVEL PIT.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.”

Wages plural noun US /ˈweɪdʒɪz/

money or a reward earned for work

From this reading “Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!”

All words in this reading · 117

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 At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

afraid

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

all

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

From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

Botfield

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

boy

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

building

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

came

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

coal

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

dischargedverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒd/

released from a duty or job

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

dismission

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

down

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

earn

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

eight

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

entrance

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

evening

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

facing

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

farmhouses

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

Fearful

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

From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

fetched

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

food

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

fortnight

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

get

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

GRAVEL

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

From this reading THE RED GRAVEL PIT.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

hand

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

heart

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

heavy

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

home

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

how

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

interview

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

jingling

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

From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

knowing

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

From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

lane

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

leading

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

lestconjunctionUS /lest/

in order that something should not happen

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

lime

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

lingered

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

From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

loitered

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

master

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

more

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

mouths

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

Mr

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

office

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From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

old

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From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

once

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From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

other

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From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

out

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From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

pay-office

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

PITnounUS /pɪt/

A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.

From this reading THE RED GRAVEL PIT.

pits

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From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

place

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From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

providing

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From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

receive

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From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

reckoning

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From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

RED

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From this reading THE RED GRAVEL PIT.

Saturday

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From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

sentence

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From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

shillings

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From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

small

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From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

square

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From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

Stephen

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE RED GRAVEL PIT.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

there

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

three

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

turn

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

used

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From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

very

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

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

wagesplural nounUS /ˈweɪdʒɪz/

money or a reward earned for work

From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

waggoner's

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

week

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

weighing-house

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

work

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

workmen

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

From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

works

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

From this reading At the entrance of the lane leading down to the works at Botfield there stood a small square building, which was used as the weighing-house for the coal and lime fetched from the pits, and as the pay-office on the reckoning Saturday, which came once a fortnight.

worst

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

From this reading Fearful of knowing the worst, he lingered about the office until all the other workmen had been in and come out again jingling their wages.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!

Wyley

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From this reading Upon the Saturday evening after his interview with the master, Stephen loitered in the lane with a very heavy heart, afraid of facing Mr. Wyley, lest he should receive the sentence of dismission from the pit.

years

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

From this reading He did not know what he could turn his hand to if he should be discharged from what had been his work since he was eight years old; for even if he could get a place in one of the farmhouses about as waggoner's boy, he would not earn more than three shillings a week; and how very little that would do towards providing food for the three mouths at home!