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George at the Wheel
George at the Wheel

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for George at the Wheel
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
LIFE IN THE PILOT-HOUSE.
"Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
"Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?
My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.
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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.

George at the Wheel

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
LIFE IN THE PILOT-HOUSE.
Line 2
"Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.
Line 3
"Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.
Line 4
Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?
Line 5
My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?”

Anybody pronoun US /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading “"Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “"Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.”

LIFE noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “LIFE IN THE PILOT-HOUSE.”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “"Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “"Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “"Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.”

All words in this reading · 79

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 "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?

all

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

break

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

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

bright

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

cattle

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

cool

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

couldn't

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

From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?

cucumber

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

destined

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

end

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.

exclaimed

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

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

fast

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

From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?

finest

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

forty

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

From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.

George

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

got

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

From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?

Greaser

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

heard

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

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

HerenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?

hold

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

From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?

hollow

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

From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.

hopes

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

how

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading LIFE IN THE PILOT-HOUSE.

just

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

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

knows

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

From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.

LIFEnounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading LIFE IN THE PILOT-HOUSE.

looking

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

luck

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

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

miserable

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

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

mock

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

Ned

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

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

Now

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

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

owner

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

PILOT-HOUSE

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

From this reading LIFE IN THE PILOT-HOUSE.

pluming

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

ranche

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

seen

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

show

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

stump

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

From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

Texas

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading LIFE IN THE PILOT-HOUSE.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

thousand

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

From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

up

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

From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.

walks

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

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

want

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

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "Here I was, pluming myself on being the owner of the finest cattle ranche in Texas, when, as if to mock me and show me how all my bright hopes are destined to end, in walks George, as cool as a cucumber, and looking as though he had never seen a Greaser.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading "Now, I just want to know if anybody ever heard of such miserable luck as I have," exclaimed Ned, who was the first to break the silence.

Why

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

From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?

world

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

From this reading Why in the world couldn't they hold fast to him after they got him?

year

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

From this reading My forty thousand a year are up a hollow stump, and George knows everything.