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The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade
The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade is here in full — 400 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade
Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN THE POLITE SPIRIT OF THE TUSCULAN DISPUTATIONS.
--"'Philosophical Intelligence Office'--novel idea!
But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"
About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.
"How did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your line, eh?"
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.

The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade is here in full — 400 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN THE POLITE SPIRIT OF THE TUSCULAN DISPUTATIONS.
Line 2
--"'Philosophical Intelligence Office'--novel idea!
Line 3
But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"
Line 4
About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.
Line 5
"How did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your line, eh?"

Learner Dictionary

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

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

accosted verb US /əˈkɑːstɪd/

past form of “accost” — speak to someone

From this reading “About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.”

canine noun US /ˈkeɪnaɪn/

one of the four pointed conical teeth (two in each jaw) located between the incisors and the premolars

From this reading “About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.”

Cape noun US /keɪp/

a strip of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading “About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.”

growled verb US /ɡraʊld/

past form of “growl” — to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds

From this reading “About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.”

inscribed adjective US /ˌɪnˈskraɪbd/

written (by handwriting, printing, engraving, or carving) on or in a surface

From this reading “About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.”

Missourian noun US /məˈzʊriən/

a native or resident of Missouri

From this reading “About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.”

obliquely adverb US /əˈbliːkli/

to, toward or at one side

From this reading “About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.”

Philosophical adjective US /ˌfɪləˈsɑːfɪkəl/

of or relating to philosophy or philosophers

From this reading “--"'Philosophical Intelligence Office'--novel idea!”

All words in this reading · 74

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

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

absurdadjectiveUS /əbˈsɜːrd/

inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

accostedverbUS /əˈkɑːstɪd/

past form of “accost” — speak to someone

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

baker-kneed

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

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

brassnounUS /bræs/

an alloy of copper and zinc

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

caninenounUS /ˈkeɪnaɪn/

one of the four pointed conical teeth (two in each jaw) located between the incisors and the premolars

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

CapenounUS /keɪp/

a strip of land projecting into a body of water

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

chainnounUS /tʃeɪn/

a series of things depending on each other as if linked together

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

chancenounUS /tʃæns/

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

collar-wise

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

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

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

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

deprecationnoun

a prayer to avert or remove some evil or disaster

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

DISPUTATIONS

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

From this reading IN THE POLITE SPIRIT OF THE TUSCULAN DISPUTATIONS.

dreamnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

eh

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

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

five-dollar

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

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

Girádeau

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

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

growledverbUS /ɡraʊld/

past form of “growl” — to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

how

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

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

ideanounUS /aɪˈdiːə/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading --"'Philosophical Intelligence Office'--novel idea!

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN THE POLITE SPIRIT OF THE TUSCULAN DISPUTATIONS.

inscribedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈskraɪbd/

written (by handwriting, printing, engraving, or carving) on or in a surface

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

IntelligencenounUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəns/

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading --"'Philosophical Intelligence Office'--novel idea!

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

meanverbUS /miːn/

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

MissouriannounUS /məˈzʊriən/

a native or resident of Missouri

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

novelnounUS /ˈnɑːvəl/

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading --"'Philosophical Intelligence Office'--novel idea!

OnounUS /oʊ/

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

obliquelyadverbUS /əˈbliːkli/

to, toward or at one side

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN THE POLITE SPIRIT OF THE TUSCULAN DISPUTATIONS.

OfficenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed

From this reading --"'Philosophical Intelligence Office'--novel idea!

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

PnounUS /piː/

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

PhilosophicaladjectiveUS /ˌfɪləˈsɑːfɪkəl/

of or relating to philosophy or philosophers

From this reading --"'Philosophical Intelligence Office'--novel idea!

platenounUS /pleɪt/

(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

POLITEadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/

showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.

From this reading IN THE POLITE SPIRIT OF THE TUSCULAN DISPUTATIONS.

round-backedadjective

having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

shoulderverbUS /ˈʃoʊldər/

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

slunk

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

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

sortnounUS /sɔːrt/

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

SPIRITnounUS /ˈspɪrət/

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading IN THE POLITE SPIRIT OF THE TUSCULAN DISPUTATIONS.

strangernounUS /ˈstreɪndʒər/

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

suitverbUS /suːt/

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading IN THE POLITE SPIRIT OF THE TUSCULAN DISPUTATIONS.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

TUSCULAN

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

From this reading IN THE POLITE SPIRIT OF THE TUSCULAN DISPUTATIONS.

twentynounUS /ˈtwenti/

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

wearingnounUS /ˈwerɪŋ/

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading About twenty minutes after leaving Cape Girádeau, the above was growled out over his shoulder by the Missourian to a chance stranger who had just accosted him; a round-backed, baker-kneed man, in a mean five-dollar suit, wearing, collar-wise by a chain, a small brass plate, inscribed P. I. O., and who, with a sort of canine deprecation, slunk obliquely behind.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But how did you come to dream that I wanted anything in your absurd line, eh?"

Chapter 10 of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade by Herman Melville holds 400 sentences, grouped into 80 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 10 of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade contain?

Chapter 10 holds 400 sentences of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade, unabridged, divided into 80 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 10 of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade by Herman Melville exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 400 sentences, grouped into 80 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 10 of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade?

Work through the 80 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 80 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 10 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 10 can be played aloud in United States English.

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

Questions about reading The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade

Common questions about reading The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade by Herman Melville on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade?

Yes. All 4679 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #21816 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #21816, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade take to read?

About 389 minutes of reading across 936 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade section by section

How to work through The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 20 chapters of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Aboard
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mississippi
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sunrise
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
First
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.