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The Boy Trapper
The Boy Trapper

Chapter V

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Context Illustration Reading 1/45 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
DAN IS ASTONISHED.
Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.
He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.
Nothing seemed to go right with him.
There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.
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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.

The Boy Trapper

Chapter V

Reading 1/45 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DAN IS ASTONISHED.
Line 2
Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.
Line 3
He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.
Line 4
Nothing seemed to go right with him.
Line 5
There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

Learner Dictionary

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

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.”

ASTONISHED adjective US /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading “DAN IS ASTONISHED.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Nothing seemed to go right with him.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nothing seemed to go right with him.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nothing seemed to go right with him.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.”

All words in this reading · 96

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 Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

all

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

altogether

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

always

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

ASTONISHEDadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/

very surprised

From this reading DAN IS ASTONISHED.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

bad

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

barn

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

better

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

chance

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

condition

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

continually

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

DAN

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

From this reading DAN IS ASTONISHED.

David

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

discouraged

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

dollar

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

Don

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

down

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

earn

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

face

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

friend

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

General

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

give

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

go

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

From this reading Nothing seemed to go right with him.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

Gordon's

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

happy

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

helped

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

home

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading DAN IS ASTONISHED.

just

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

lookout

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

made

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

Many

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

matters

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

more

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

news

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Nothing seemed to go right with him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

off

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

only

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

out

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

professional

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

reason

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

relied

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nothing seemed to go right with him.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nothing seemed to go right with him.

settle

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

show

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

striving

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

strongly

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

telling

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

tempted

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

There

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

times

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

trouble

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

trying

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

turned

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

two

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

up

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

vagabond

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

way

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Many times during his life had David had good reason to be discouraged, but he had never been so strongly tempted to give up trying altogether and settle down into a professional vagabond, as he was when he left General Gordon's barn and turned his face toward home.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Nothing seemed to go right with him.

world

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

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.

worse

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

From this reading He had relied upon Don to show him a way out of his trouble, but his friend had not helped him at all; he had only made matters worse by telling him more bad news.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading There was Dan, who never did anything, and yet he was better off in the world and seemed to be just as happy as David, who was always striving to better his condition and continually on the lookout for a chance to earn a dollar or two.