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Little By Little
Little By Little

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for Little By Little
Context Illustration Reading 1/9 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
PAUL ADVANCES LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND THE STORY ENDS.
For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.
Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.
But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.
He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Little By Little

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/9 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
PAUL ADVANCES LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND THE STORY ENDS.
Line 2
For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.
Line 3
Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.
Line 4
But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.
Line 5
He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

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 “He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.”

Continued noun US /ˈcontinued/

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

From this reading “He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.”

Entirely noun US /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading “He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.”

Free adjective US /friː/

acting without enough restraint or discipline

From this reading “Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.”

Handsome noun US /ˈhandsome/

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

From this reading “Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.”

LITTLE noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “PAUL ADVANCES LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND THE STORY ENDS.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.”

Saved noun US /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.”

Schooner noun US /ˈskuːnər/

a sailing ship with two or more masts

From this reading “But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

accept

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

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

advancement

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

ADVANCES

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

From this reading PAUL ADVANCES LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND THE STORY ENDS.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading PAUL ADVANCES LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND THE STORY ENDS.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

became

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

business

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

BYprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading PAUL ADVANCES LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND THE STORY ENDS.

calling

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

certain

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

concluded

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

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/

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

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

deliberation

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

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

ENDS

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

From this reading PAUL ADVANCES LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND THE STORY ENDS.

entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/

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

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

extend

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

fill

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

fisherman

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

fishing

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

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

freeadjectiveUS /friː/

acting without enough restraint or discipline

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

given

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

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

grew

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

house

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

important

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

John

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

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

LITTLEnounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading PAUL ADVANCES LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND THE STORY ENDS.

mate

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

mature

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

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

money

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

more

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

mortgage

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

ocean

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

off

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

offer

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

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

offered

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

older

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

operations

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

paid

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

PAUL

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

From this reading PAUL ADVANCES LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND THE STORY ENDS.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

positions

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

profitable

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

promise

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

purchasing

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

purposed

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

pursued

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

qualified

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

savednounUS /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/

a sailing ship with two or more masts

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

second

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

several

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.

situation

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

sixty

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

steamer

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

STORY

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

From this reading PAUL ADVANCES LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND THE STORY ENDS.

success

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

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

sum

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading PAUL ADVANCES LITTLE BY LITTLE, AND THE STORY ENDS.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

tons

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

From this reading But when he was on the point of purchasing a schooner of sixty tons, a situation as second mate of an ocean steamer was offered to him, with the promise of certain advancement as he became qualified to fill more important positions.

twenty-one

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

up

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He concluded, after mature deliberation, to accept the offer, and the fishing business was entirely given up to John, who continued it for several years, with good success.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Before he was twenty-one, the mortgage on the house was paid off; and when he was free he had saved up quite a handsome sum of money, with which he purposed to extend his operations.

years

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

From this reading For several years Paul pursued his calling as a fisherman; and as he grew older the business became more profitable.