Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Plane and Plank
Plane and Plank

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for Plane and Plank
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN WHICH PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.
I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.
Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.
I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.
Lynch ought to have known me better, though I had been a lamb at Leavenworth.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Plane and Plank

Chapter XX

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN WHICH PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.
Line 2
I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.
Line 3
Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.
Line 4
I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.
Line 5
Lynch ought to have known me better, though I had been a lamb at Leavenworth.

Learner Dictionary

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

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading “I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.”

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading “Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “Lynch ought to have known me better, though I had been a lamb at Leavenworth.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.”

Partly noun US /partly/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Lynch ought to have known me better, though I had been a lamb at Leavenworth.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.”

All words in this reading · 79

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 PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.

actually

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Lynch ought to have known me better, though I had been a lamb at Leavenworth.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.

better

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

bolt

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

boy

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

boys

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

From this reading I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

BYprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.

city

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

cry

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

easily

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

From this reading I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.

FACE

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.

FAMILIAR

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.

given

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

From this reading I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

heard

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.

intimidated

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

From this reading I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.

ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

known

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

From this reading Lynch ought to have known me better, though I had been a lamb at Leavenworth.

lamb

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

From this reading Lynch ought to have known me better, though I had been a lamb at Leavenworth.

laugh

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

laughed

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

Leavenworth

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

From this reading Lynch ought to have known me better, though I had been a lamb at Leavenworth.

lock

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

Lynch

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

From this reading Lynch ought to have known me better, though I had been a lamb at Leavenworth.

made

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

many

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

From this reading I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.

matter

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

mishaps

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

money

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

From this reading I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

note

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

From this reading I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading Lynch ought to have known me better, though I had been a lamb at Leavenworth.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

own

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

partly

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

Perhaps

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

peril

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

PHIL

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.

resources

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

ridiculous

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

SIGHT

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.

simply

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

snapped

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

STARTLED

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.

taken

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Lynch ought to have known me better, though I had been a lamb at Leavenworth.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

thrown

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

times

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

trick

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

up

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

victim

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

view

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

From this reading Perhaps, if I had been a boy brought up in the city, and had never been thrown upon my own resources in times of peril, I might have taken a different view of the matter.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I actually laughed when I heard the bolt of the lock snapped upon me; partly because I thought it was better to laugh over my mishaps than to cry, and partly because the trick of which I had been made the victim was simply ridiculous.

WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading IN WHICH PHIL IS STARTLED BY THE SIGHT OF A FAMILIAR FACE.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading I can easily believe that many boys would have been intimidated, and given up the money and the note.