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Main-Travelled Roads
Main-Travelled Roads

Chapter III

Cover illustration for Main-Travelled Roads
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.
He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.
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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.

Main-Travelled Roads

Chapter III

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.
Line 2
Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.
Line 3
Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.
Line 4
It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.
Line 5
He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

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 “Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.”

All words in this reading · 96

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 It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.

actually

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

anticipation

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

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

beautiful

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

From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.

beaux

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

beforehand

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

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

bid

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

bitter

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

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

brother's

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

buckles

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

busily

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

carriage

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

carriages

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

cases

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

chances

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

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

clear

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

From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.

clerks

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

compete

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

consequence

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

country

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

crisp

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

From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.

cushions

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

customary

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

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

dawn

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

From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.

day

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

From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.

demand

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

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

dictatorial

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

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

dusting

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

early

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

forgiveness

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

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

furnished

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

grew

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

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

harnesses

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

higher

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

horses

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

ideal

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

From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

joyous

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

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

livery-men

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

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

many

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

mud

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

now

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

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

outbid

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

own

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

period

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

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

polishing

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

prepare

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

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

real

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

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

regained

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

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

ride

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

From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.

rig

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

rosettes

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

secured

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

self

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

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

shame

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

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

singing

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

From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.

Slowly

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

surely

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading He had regained his real self, and, having passed through a bitter period of shame, was now joyous with anticipation of forgiveness.

Thursday

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

top-buggies

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

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

up

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was customary to prepare for this long beforehand, for the demand for top-buggies was so great the livery-men grew dictatorial, and took no chances.

washing

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

Willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Slowly but surely the country beaux began to compete with the clerks, and in many cases actually outbid them, as they furnished their own horses and could bid higher, in consequence, on the carriages.

work

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

From this reading Will had secured his brother's "rig," and early on Thursday morning he was at work, busily washing the mud from the carriage, dusting the cushions, and polishing up the buckles and rosettes on his horses' harnesses.

worked

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

From this reading It was a beautiful, crisp, clear dawn--the ideal day for a ride; and Will was singing as he worked.