Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Haste and Waste
Haste and Waste

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for Haste and Waste
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
"What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.
"I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Haste and Waste

Chapter XX

Reading 1/31 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
Line 2
As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
Line 3
Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
Line 4
"What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.
Line 5
"I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

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 “"I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “"What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.”

CAPTAIN noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.”

Forecastle noun US /ˈforecastle/

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

From this reading “As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.”

LITTLE noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.”

All words in this reading · 81

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 As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

accident

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

back

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

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

Baker

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

From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.

Ben

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

CAPTAINnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

closed

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

From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.

companionway

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

From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.

confined

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

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

criminal

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

deck-hands

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

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

defeat

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

demanded

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

From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.

directed

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

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

discovered

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

From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.

engine-room

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

entered

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

enterprise

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

Ethan

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

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

explained

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

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

fastened

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

From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.

fearful

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

firemen

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

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

follow

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

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.

forecastlenounUS /ˈforecastle/

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

From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.

go

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

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

hand

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

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

happened

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

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.

heard

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

From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

holding

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

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

Lawry

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

LITTLEnounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

machinery

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

MOTTO

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

noise

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

From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.

now

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

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

other

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

pistols

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

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

present

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

From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.

Releasing

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

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

saw

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

From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.

side

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

some

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

stopping

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

From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

there

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

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

wheel-house

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

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.

Wilford

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.