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Free Joe and Other Georgian Sketches
Free Joe and Other Georgian Sketches

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for Free Joe and Other Georgian Sketches
Context Illustration Reading 1/79 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.
"What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.
Old Prince, the carriage-driver, can tell you lots more'n I can.
He foun' 'em on the groun', an' he fotch 'em home.
Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.
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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.

Free Joe and Other Georgian Sketches

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/79 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.
Line 2
"What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.
Line 3
Old Prince, the carriage-driver, can tell you lots more'n I can.
Line 4
He foun' 'em on the groun', an' he fotch 'em home.
Line 5
Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

Learner Dictionary

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

Balance noun US /ˈbalance/

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

From this reading “Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.”

All words in this reading · 69

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

ain't

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

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

All

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He foun' 'em on the groun', an' he fotch 'em home.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

anxious

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

aunt

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

balancenounUS /ˈbalance/

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

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

better'n

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

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

burial

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Old Prince, the carriage-driver, can tell you lots more'n I can.

carriage-driver

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

From this reading Old Prince, the carriage-driver, can tell you lots more'n I can.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

em

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

From this reading He foun' 'em on the groun', an' he fotch 'em home.

Federal

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

fotch

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

From this reading He foun' 'em on the groun', an' he fotch 'em home.

foun

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

From this reading He foun' 'em on the groun', an' he fotch 'em home.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

freedom

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

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

groun

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

From this reading He foun' 'em on the groun', an' he fotch 'em home.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

Haley

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

From this reading "What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He foun' 'em on the groun', an' he fotch 'em home.

Helen

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.

home

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

From this reading He foun' 'em on the groun', an' he fotch 'em home.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Old Prince, the carriage-driver, can tell you lots more'n I can.

I'll

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

From this reading "What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

interesting

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

learn

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

lots

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

From this reading Old Prince, the carriage-driver, can tell you lots more'n I can.

mighty

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

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

more'n

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

From this reading Old Prince, the carriage-driver, can tell you lots more'n I can.

Mrs

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

From this reading "What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.

much

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

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.

nigger

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

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

now

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

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

Old

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

From this reading Old Prince, the carriage-driver, can tell you lots more'n I can.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He foun' 'em on the groun', an' he fotch 'em home.

out

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

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

particulars

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

Prince

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

From this reading Old Prince, the carriage-driver, can tell you lots more'n I can.

regard

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

said

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

From this reading "What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.

soldier

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

use

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

From this reading Prince use to be a mighty good nigger before freedom come out, but now he ain't much better'n the balance of 'em.

very

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

Waverly

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "What his name was," said Mrs. Haley, "I'll never tell you.

young

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

From this reading All this was very interesting to Helen and her aunt, and they were anxious to learn all the particulars in regard to the young Federal soldier who had found burial at Waverly.