Pawned

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of Pawned is here in full — 425 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Frank L. (Frank Lucius) Packard • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

Why not?

The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

He had no intention of submitting tamely and without a struggle to any fate, no matter what it might be, that Crang proposed for him, but that struggle would better come when there was at least a chance.

Narrator

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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.

Chapter VIII Reading 1/85

Pawned

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of Pawned is here in full — 425 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

Line 2

Why not?

/waɪ nɑːt/

Line 3

The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

Line 4

And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

Line 5

Learner Dictionary

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

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

bade noun US /beɪd/

a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria

From this reading “He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.”

Bruce's noun US /ˈbruːsəz/

possessive form of “bruce” — Australian physician and bacteriologist who described the bacterium that causes undulant fever or brucellosis (1855-1931)

From this reading “And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.”

fling verb US /flɪŋ/

throw with force or recklessness

From this reading “He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.”

imperceptibly adverb US /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbli/

in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree

From this reading “He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.”

impulse noun US /ˈɪmpəls/

an instinctive motive

From this reading “He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.”

revolver noun US /rɪˈvɑːlvər/

a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)

From this reading “The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.”

straightened verb US /ˈstreɪtənd/

past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight

From this reading “He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.”

submitting verb US /səbˈmɪtɪŋ/

inflected form of “submit” — refer for judgment or consideration

From this reading “He had no intention of submitting tamely and without a struggle to any fate, no matter what it might be, that Crang proposed for him, but that struggle would better come when there was at least a chance.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

common sense adjective + noun

sound practical judgment

In this reading “And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.”

revolver shot noun + noun

In this reading “The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.”

glance rested verb + adjective

In this reading “And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.”

gave way verb + noun counted as “give way”

move in order to make room for someone for something

In this reading “And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.”

in the street preposition + article + noun counted as “in … street”

In this reading “The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.”

All words in this reading · 72

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

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading He had no intention of submitting tamely and without a struggle to any fate, no matter what it might be, that Crang proposed for him, but that struggle would better come when there was at least a chance.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

badenounUS /beɪd/

a Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

Bruce'snounUS /ˈbruːsəz/

possessive form of “bruce” — Australian physician and bacteriologist who described the bacterium that causes undulant fever or brucellosis (1855-1931)

From this reading And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

chancenounUS /tʃæns/

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

commonadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmən/

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

Crang

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

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

dareverbUS /der/

take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

fatenounUS /feɪt/

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/

start firing a weapon

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

flingverbUS /flɪŋ/

throw with force or recklessness

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/

at or to or toward the front

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

imperceptiblyadverbUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbli/

in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

impulsenounUS /ˈɪmpəls/

an instinctive motive

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

intentionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃən/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

leastadjectiveUS /liːst/

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Why not?

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

proposedverbUS /prəˈpoʊzd/

past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

restedadjectiveUS /ˈrestəd/

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/

a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

seatnounUS /siːt/

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

sensenounUS /sens/

a general conscious awareness

From this reading And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

shotnounUS /ʃɑːt/

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

soundnounUS /saʊnd/

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/

past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

streetnounUS /striːt/

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

struggleverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəl/

make a strenuous or labored effort

submittingverbUS /səbˈmɪtɪŋ/

inflected form of “submit” — refer for judgment or consideration

suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/

happening unexpectedly

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

tamelyadverb

in a tame manner

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He straightened almost imperceptibly in his seat, as impulse suddenly bade him fling himself forward upon Crang.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading And then John Bruce's glance rested on the man beside him--and impulse gave way to common sense.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

WhynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading Why not?

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The sound of a revolver shot would be heard in the street, and Crang might not even dare to fire at all.

Chapter 8 of Pawned by Frank L. (Frank Lucius) Packard holds 425 sentences, grouped into 85 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 8 of Pawned contain?

Chapter 8 holds 425 sentences of Pawned, unabridged, divided into 85 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of Pawned by Frank L. (Frank Lucius) Packard exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 425 sentences, grouped into 85 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 8 of Pawned?

Work through the 85 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 85 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 can be played aloud in United States English.

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

Questions about reading Pawned

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Is this the complete text of Pawned?

Yes. All 5584 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #51965 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #51965, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 465 minutes of reading across 1117 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Chapter VIII

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