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The Bartlett Mystery
The Bartlett Mystery

Chapter XXVII

Cover illustration for The Bartlett Mystery
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE SETTLEMENT The chief disliked melodrama in official affairs.
Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.
But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.
Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.
Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Bartlett Mystery

Chapter XXVII

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE SETTLEMENT The chief disliked melodrama in official affairs.
Line 2
Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.
Line 3
But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.
Line 4
Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.
Line 5
Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.

Learner Dictionary

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

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.”

Folly noun US /ˈfɑːli/

an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment

From this reading “Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

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

From this reading “Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.”

Seeing noun US /seeing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

affairs

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

From this reading THE SETTLEMENT The chief disliked melodrama in official affairs.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

Any

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

beaten

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

bloodshot

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

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

boar

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

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

chart-room

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

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

chief

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

From this reading THE SETTLEMENT The chief disliked melodrama in official affairs.

conditions

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

From this reading Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.

crook

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

disliked

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

From this reading THE SETTLEMENT The chief disliked melodrama in official affairs.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

eyes

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

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

face

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

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

follynounUS /ˈfɑːli/

an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

hoped

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

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE SETTLEMENT The chief disliked melodrama in official affairs.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

law

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

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

lip

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

man

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

melodrama

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

From this reading THE SETTLEMENT The chief disliked melodrama in official affairs.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

official

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

From this reading THE SETTLEMENT The chief disliked melodrama in official affairs.

ominous

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

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

other

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

From this reading Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

Perhaps

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

From this reading Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.

punishment

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

quietly

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

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

resistance

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

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

seeing

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

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

SETTLEMENT

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

From this reading THE SETTLEMENT The chief disliked melodrama in official affairs.

sign

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

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.

Steingall

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

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

stiff

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

struggle

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

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

temperament

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

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE SETTLEMENT The chief disliked melodrama in official affairs.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Perhaps, under other conditions, he might have done so.

upper

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

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

Voles

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

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

Voles's

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

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

walk

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

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

white

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

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

wild

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

From this reading But Voles's face was white, and in one of his temperament, that was as ominous a sign as the bloodshot eyes of a wild boar.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Any man, even a crook, ought to know when he is beaten, and take his punishment with a stiff upper lip.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.

yield

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

From this reading Steingall had hoped that Voles would walk quietly into the chart-room, and, seeing the folly of resistance, yield to the law without a struggle.