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Red Pepper Burns
Red Pepper Burns

Chapter XI · In Which He Gets Even with Himself

Cover illustration for Red Pepper Burns
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
It did not get on well.
The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.
Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.
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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.

Red Pepper Burns

Chapter XI · In Which He Gets Even with Himself

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

Line 1
R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.
Line 2
It did not get on well.
Line 3
The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.
Line 4
He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.
Line 5
Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

Learner Dictionary

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

Disgust noun US /dɪsˈɡʌst/

a strong feeling of dislike or sickness caused by something unpleasant

From this reading “He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It did not get on well.”

All words in this reading · 75

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 R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.

arm

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

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

attempting

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

bandages

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

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

bore

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

Burns

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

chirography

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

copy

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

desk

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading It did not get on well.

disgustnounUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/

a strong feeling of dislike or sickness caused by something unpleasant

From this reading He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.

especially

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

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

fingers

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

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

five-year-old

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

fixing

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

four

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

gazed

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

From this reading He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.

get

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

From this reading It did not get on well.

glanced

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

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

hand

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

handwriting

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

held

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

From this reading He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

inner

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

inscribing

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

instead

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It did not get on well.

laboriously

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

letter

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

like

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

limp

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

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

lines

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It did not get on well.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

office

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

older

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It did not get on well.

P

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

paper

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

person's

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

protruded

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

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

R

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

resemblance

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

resentfully

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

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

sat

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

script

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

sheet

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

From this reading He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.

slightest

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

sling-supported

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

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

some

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

style

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

succeeded

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.

Then

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

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

unaccustomed

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

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

up

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

From this reading He held up the sheet and gazed at it in disgust.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

usual

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

From this reading The handwriting in the four lines he had succeeded in fixing upon paper bore not the slightest resemblance to his usual style; instead, it looked like the chirography of a five-year-old attempting for the first time to copy from some older person's script.

well

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

From this reading It did not get on well.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

whiteness

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

From this reading Then he glanced resentfully at his sling-supported right arm, especially at the fingers which protruded from the bandages in unaccustomed limp whiteness.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading R. P. Burns sat at his desk in the inner office, laboriously inscribing a letter with his left hand.