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In Luck at Last
In Luck at Last

Chapter II

Cover illustration for In Luck at Last
Context Illustration Reading 1/51 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FOX AND WOLF.
Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.
That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.
Everything was carefully locked.
Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.
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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 Luck at Last

Chapter II

Reading 1/51 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FOX AND WOLF.
Line 2
Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.
Line 3
That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.
Line 4
Everything was carefully locked.
Line 5
Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

Learner Dictionary

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

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “Everything was carefully locked.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

accordance

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

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

action

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

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

all

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

From this reading Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading FOX AND WOLF.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

attempted

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

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

back

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

carefully

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

commit

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

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

contained

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

From this reading Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

crept

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

custom

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

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

daily

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

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

desk

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

dishonorable

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

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

drawers

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

EverythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading Everything was carefully locked.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

footsteps

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

FOX

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

From this reading FOX AND WOLF.

handle

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

information

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

From this reading Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

James

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

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

listened

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

locked

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

From this reading Everything was carefully locked.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

master

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

papers

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

From this reading Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

pull

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

retreating

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

safe

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

say

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

shop

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

stairs

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

stealthily

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

table

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

then

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

try

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

turn

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

turned

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

From this reading Then he turned over all the papers on the table, but found nothing that contained the information he looked for.

up

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

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Everything was carefully locked.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That is to say, he first listened carefully to the retreating footsteps of his master, as he went up the stairs; then he left his table, crept stealthily into the back shop, and began to pull the drawers, turn the handle of the safe, and try the desk.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mr. James, left to himself, attempted, in accordance with his daily custom, to commit a dishonorable action.

WOLF

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

From this reading FOX AND WOLF.