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Now or Never
Now or Never

Chapter II

Cover illustration for Now or Never
Context Illustration Reading 1/31 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.
Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.
He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.
He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.
Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.
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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.

Now or Never

Chapter II

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

Line 1
IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.
Line 2
Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.
Line 3
He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.
Line 4
He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.
Line 5
Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

Learner Dictionary

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

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading “He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.”

Saved noun US /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.”

SEVERAL noun US /ˈseveral/

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

From this reading “IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.”

All words in this reading · 78

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 IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.

agitated

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.

ARITHMETIC

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

From this reading IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.

arrival

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

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

assured

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

From this reading He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

awaiting

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

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

Bayard

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.

BLUSHES

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

From this reading IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.

BOBBY

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

From this reading IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.

bold

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

boy

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

From this reading He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.

bridge

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

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.

death

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

DOESauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.

dreadfully

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

From this reading He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.

driven

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

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

Ellen

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

From this reading He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

father

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

few

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

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

horse

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

impending

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.

injured

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

From this reading He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.

intelligence

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

From this reading He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.

Kate

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

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

killed

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

From this reading He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.

lady

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

lady's

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

From this reading He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.

moments

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

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

much

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.

owner

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

reached

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

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

rendered

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

savednounUS /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

say

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

scarcely

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

From this reading He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.

service

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

SEVERAL

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

From this reading IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.

signal

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

speed

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

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

SUM

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

From this reading IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

TIMES

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

From this reading IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

too

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

top

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

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

true

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

From this reading He could scarcely believe the intelligence which the boy brought him; it seemed too good to be true.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Kate was driven at the top of her speed, and in a few moments reached the bridge, where Ellen was awaiting his arrival.

WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading IN WHICH BOBBY BLUSHES SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES A SUM IN ARITHMETIC.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.

young

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

From this reading He had assured himself that Ellen--for that was the young lady's name--was killed, or dreadfully injured.

youth

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

From this reading Mr. Bayard, the owner of the horse, and the father of the lady whom Bobby had saved from impending death, was too much agitated to say much, even to the bold youth who had rendered him such a signal service.