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The Expressman and the Detective
The Expressman and the Detective

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Expressman and the Detective is here in full — 425 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/85 · 5 lines
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He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.
He was, to all appearances, the happiest man in town.
He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.
There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.
Very little was said about Mrs. Maroney.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Expressman and the Detective

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Expressman and the Detective is here in full — 425 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.
Line 2
He was, to all appearances, the happiest man in town.
/hiː wɑːz tuː ɔːl əˈpɪrənsəz ðə ˈhæpiəst mæn ɪn taʊn/
Line 3
He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.
/hiː ˈɔːfən tɔːkt ˈoʊvər wɪð ˈpɔːrtər hɪz plænz fɔːr ðə ˈfjuːtʃər ˈseɪɪŋ ðæt ˈæftər hɪz ˈtraɪəl hiː ˌɪnˈtendɪd tuː ɡoʊ ˈɪntuː ðə ˈlɪvəri ˈsteɪbəl ˈbɪznəs ənd ˈwɔːntɪd ˈpɔːrtər tuː bɪˈkʌm hɪz klɜːrk/
Line 4
There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.
Line 5
Very little was said about Mrs. Maroney.

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.

amphitheatre noun US /ˈæmfəθiˈeɪtər/

a sloping gallery with seats for spectators (as in an operating room or theater)

From this reading “He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.”

damages noun US /ˈdæmədʒəz/

a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury

From this reading “There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.”

intimated verb US /ˈɪntəmeɪtɪd/

past form of “intimate” — give to understand

From this reading “There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.”

livery noun US /ˈlɪvəri/

uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs

From this reading “He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.”

Montgomery noun US /mɑːntˈɡʌmri/

Canadian novelist (1874-1942)

From this reading “There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.”

Natchez noun US /ˈnætʃez/

a town in southwest Mississippi on the Mississippi River

From this reading “He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.”

tire verb US /ˈtaɪər/

lose interest or become bored with something or somebody

From this reading “He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.”

vindication noun US /vɪndəˈkeɪʃən/

the act of vindicating or defending against criticism or censure etc.

From this reading “There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.”

All words in this reading · 91

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 He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

adventuresnounUS /ædˈventʃərz/

plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading He was, to all appearances, the happiest man in town.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

amphitheatrenounUS /ˈæmfəθiˈeɪtər/

a sloping gallery with seats for spectators (as in an operating room or theater)

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

appearancesnounUS /əˈpɪrənsəz/

plural of “appearance” — outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading He was, to all appearances, the happiest man in town.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

by-and-bynoun

an indefinite time in the future

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

clerknounUS /klɜːrk/

an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

damagesnounUS /ˈdæmədʒəz/

a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

describeverbUS /dɪˈskraɪb/

give a description of

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

futureadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/

yet to be or coming

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

happiestadjectiveUS /ˈhæpiəst/

superlative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure

From this reading He was, to all appearances, the happiest man in town.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/

showing warm and heartfelt friendliness

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

hillnounUS /hɪl/

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

how

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

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

incidentsnounUS /ˈɪnsədənts/

plural of “incident” — a single distinct event

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

intendedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪd/

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

intimatedverbUS /ˈɪntəmeɪtɪd/

past form of “intimate” — give to understand

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

journeyverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

laughnounUS /læf/

the sound of laughing

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

liverynounUS /ˈlɪvəri/

uniform worn by some menservants and chauffeurs

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading He was, to all appearances, the happiest man in town.

mannernounUS /ˈmænər/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

Maroney

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

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

mentionverbUS /ˈmenʃən/

make reference to

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

MontgomerynounUS /mɑːntˈɡʌmri/

Canadian novelist (1874-1942)

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Very little was said about Mrs. Maroney.

NatcheznounUS /ˈnætʃez/

a town in southwest Mississippi on the Mississippi River

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

NewadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

OrleansnounUS /ˈɔːrliənz/

a city on the Loire river in north central France; site of the siege of Orleans by the English (1428-1429)

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

plansnounUS /plænz/

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

PorternounUS /ˈpɔːrtər/

a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

raiseverbUS /reɪz/

raise the level or amount of something

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

relatingverbUS /rɪˈleɪtɪŋ/

-ing form of “relate” — make a logical or causal connection

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

robberynounUS /ˈrɑːbəri/

larceny by threat of violence

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

RogersnounUS /ˈrɑːdʒərz/

United States humorist remembered for his homespun commentary on politics and American society (1879-1935)

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Very little was said about Mrs. Maroney.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

sayingnounUS /ˈseɪɪŋ/

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

seemedverbUS /siːmd/

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

Spaulding

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

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

stableadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪbəl/

resistant to change of position or condition

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

sueverbUS /suː/

institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

talkverbUS /tɔːk/

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

talkedverbUS /tɔːkt/

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

tireverbUS /ˈtaɪər/

lose interest or become bored with something or somebody

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

townnounUS /taʊn/

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading He was, to all appearances, the happiest man in town.

trialnounUS /ˈtraɪəl/

the act of testing something

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

vindicationnounUS /vɪndəˈkeɪʃən/

the act of vindicating or defending against criticism or censure etc.

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

wantedadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːntɪd/

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was, to all appearances, the happiest man in town.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He often talked over with Porter, his plans for the future, saying that, after his trial, he intended to go into the livery stable business, and wanted Porter to become his clerk.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading He seemed never to tire of relating the incidents of his journey, and would raise a hearty laugh by the manner in which he would describe his adventures at Natchez, on the hill, or of his visit to the amphitheatre of his friends, Spaulding & Rogers, in New Orleans.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading There was very little talk about the robbery in Montgomery, and when any one would mention it to Maroney, he would say, "You will see how it will end by-and-by," and always intimated that he would sue the company for heavy damages after his vindication by trial.

Chapter 4 of The Expressman and the Detective by Allan Pinkerton holds 425 sentences, grouped into 85 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 4 of The Expressman and the Detective contain?

Chapter 4 holds 425 sentences of The Expressman and the Detective, unabridged, divided into 85 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of The Expressman and the Detective by Allan Pinkerton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 425 sentences, grouped into 85 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 4 of The Expressman and the Detective?

Work through the 85 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 85 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 Expressman and the Detective

Common questions about reading The Expressman and the Detective by Allan Pinkerton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Expressman and the Detective?

Yes. All 3741 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #22155 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Expressman and the Detective is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #22155, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Expressman and the Detective take to read?

About 311 minutes of reading across 749 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Expressman and the Detective section by section

How to work through The Expressman and the Detective section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 9 chapters of The Expressman and the Detective to begin.

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    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 Expressman and the Detective

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Expressman and the Detective, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Allan
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Expressman and the Detective; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pinkerton's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Expressman and the Detective; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Detective
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Expressman and the Detective; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Stories
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Expressman and the Detective; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.