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In Direst Peril
In Direst Peril

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of In Direst Peril is here in full — 242 sentences across 49 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/48 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.
He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.
He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.
He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.
My respects, count,” said Mr. Quorn, my respects and compliments.
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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.

In Direst Peril

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of In Direst Peril is here in full — 242 sentences across 49 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/48 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Mr. Alpheas P. Quornwas the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.
Line 2
He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.
/hiː wɑːz ə proʊˈdɪdʒɪsli fæt mæn wɪð ə ˈpɪdʒən brest ənd ə nek soʊ ʃɔːrt ðæt hɪz ˈtʌftɪd tʃɪn wɑːz set loʊ daʊn bɪˈtwiːn hɪz haɪ ˈʃoʊldərz/
Line 3
He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.
Line 4
He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.
Line 5
My respects, count,” said Mr. Quorn, “my respects and compliments.

Learner Dictionary

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

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

burlesque noun US /bərˈlesk/

a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor; consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes striptease)

From this reading “He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.”

copiously adverb US /ˈkoʊpjəsli/

in an abundant manner

From this reading “He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.”

pigeon noun US /ˈpɪdʒən/

wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs

From this reading “He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.”

prevailing adjective US /prɪˈveɪlɪŋ/

most frequent or common

From this reading “He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.”

prodigiously adverb US /proʊˈdɪdʒɪsli/

to a prodigious degree

From this reading “He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.”

quid noun US /kwɪd/

the basic unit of money in Great Britain and Northern Ireland; equal to 100 pence

From this reading “He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.”

spat verb US /spæt/

come down like raindrops

From this reading “He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.”

tufted adjective US /ˈtʌftɪd/

(of plants) growing in small dense clumps or tufts

From this reading “He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.”

All words in this reading · 103

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

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

actualadjectiveUS /ˈæktʃəwəl/

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

Alpheas

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

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

announcedadjectiveUS /əˈnaʊnst/

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

apparentadjectiveUS /əˈperənt/

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

badenounUS /beɪd/

a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

bowedadjectiveUS /baʊd/

of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

breastnounUS /brest/

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

burlesquenounUS /bərˈlesk/

a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor; consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes striptease)

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

cardnounUS /kɑːrd/

one of a set of small pieces of stiff paper marked in various ways and used for playing games or for telling fortunes

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

castverbUS /kæst/

put or send forth

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

cheeknounUS /tʃiːk/

either side of the face below the eyes

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

chinnounUS /tʃɪn/

the protruding part of the lower jaw

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

clean-shavenadjective

closely shaved recently

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

complimentsnounUS /ˈkɑːmpləments/

(usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare

From this reading “My respects, count,” said Mr. Quorn, “my respects and compliments.

copiouslyadverbUS /ˈkoʊpjəsli/

in an abundant manner

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

coughverbUS /kɑːf/

exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

countverbUS /kaʊnt/

determine the number or amount of

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

disguisenounUS /dɪsˈɡaɪz/

A means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity.

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

dressedadjectiveUS /drest/

dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

eyenounUS /aɪ/

the organ of sight

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

fashionnounUS /ˈfæʃən/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

fatadjectiveUS /fæt/

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/

start firing a weapon

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

flourishverbUS /ˈflɜːrɪʃ/

grow vigorously

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

good-day

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

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

handsnounUS /hændz/

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

hugeadjectiveUS /hjuːdʒ/

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

keepingnounUS /ˈkiːpɪŋ/

conformity or harmony

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

laughnounUS /læf/

the sound of laughing

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/

abnormally large

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

nailsnounUS /neɪlz/

plural of “nail” — horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

necknounUS /nek/

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

nursedadjectiveUS /nɜːrst/

(of an infant) breast-fed

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

PnounUS /piː/

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

pigeonnounUS /ˈpɪdʒən/

wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

politenessnounUS /pəˈlaɪtnəs/

a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

prevailingadjectiveUS /prɪˈveɪlɪŋ/

most frequent or common

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

printedverbUS /ˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “print” — put into print

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

prodigiouslyadverbUS /proʊˈdɪdʒɪsli/

to a prodigious degree

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

quidnounUS /kwɪd/

the basic unit of money in Great Britain and Northern Ireland; equal to 100 pence

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

Quorn

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

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

respectsnounUS /rɪˈspekts/

(often used with “pay”) a formal expression of esteem

From this reading “My respects, count,” said Mr. Quorn, “my respects and compliments.

ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/

gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “My respects, count,” said Mr. Quorn, “my respects and compliments.

scarcelyadverbUS /ˈskersli/

only a very short time before

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

shouldersnounUS /ˈʃoʊldərz/

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

shrill-pitched

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

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

sizenounUS /saɪz/

the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

spatverbUS /spæt/

come down like raindrops

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

sprucenounUS /spruːs/

light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/

leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

tuftedadjectiveUS /ˈtʌftɪd/

(of plants) growing in small dense clumps or tufts

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

turnverbUS /tɜːrn/

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

uncared

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

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

undisguisedly

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

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

valuenounUS /ˈvæljuː/

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

visitornounUS /ˈvɪzɪtər/

someone who visits

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading He bowed with a great flourish of politeness, spat copiously in the fire, and bade the count good-day in a thin and shrill-pitched voice, so out of keeping with his monstrous size that I had to cough and turn away to disguise a laugh.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading “Mr. Alpheas P. Quorn” was the name printed on the card of the visitor just announced, and I had scarcely cast my eye upon it when the man came in.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He was dressed in actual burlesque of the fashion then prevailing; but, spruce as he was, he nursed undisguisedly a huge quid of tobacco in one clean-shaven cheek, and his hands, which were covered with rings of no great apparent value, were very dirty, and the nails uncared for.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was a prodigiously fat man, with a pigeon breast, and a neck so short that his tufted chin was set low down between his high shoulders.

Chapter 12 of In Direst Peril by David Christie Murray holds 242 sentences, grouped into 49 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 12 of In Direst Peril contain?

Chapter 12 holds 242 sentences of In Direst Peril, unabridged, divided into 49 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of In Direst Peril by David Christie Murray exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 242 sentences, grouped into 49 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 12 of In Direst Peril?

Work through the 49 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 49 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 can be played aloud in United States English.

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

Questions about reading In Direst Peril

Common questions about reading In Direst Peril by David Christie Murray on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of In Direst Peril?

Yes. All 4213 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #22205 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of In Direst Peril is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #22205, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does In Direst Peril take to read?

About 351 minutes of reading across 843 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read In Direst Peril section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 20 chapters of In Direst Peril to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in In Direst Peril

Words and structures a reader meets early in In Direst Peril, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Quite
A word that appears in the opening chapter of In Direst Peril; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Plainly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of In Direst Peril; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Opinion
A word that appears in the opening chapter of In Direst Peril; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of In Direst Peril; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.