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The Gentle Grafter
The Gentle Grafter

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of The Gentle Grafter is here in full — 230 sentences across 46 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Gentle Grafter
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"In about half an hour Andy spoke again.
I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.
"'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.
I'd like to have it to refer to occasionally.'"
INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.
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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 Gentle Grafter

Chapter VII · Chapter 7

Chapter 7 of The Gentle Grafter is here in full — 230 sentences across 46 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
"In about half an hour Andy spoke again.
Line 2
I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.
Line 3
"'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.
Line 4
I'd like to have it to refer to occasionally.'"
Line 5
INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

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.

broadway noun US /ˈbrɔːdweɪ/

a street in Manhattan that passes through Times Square; famous for its theaters

From this reading “INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.”

diagram noun US /ˈdaɪəɡræm/

a drawing intended to explain how something works; a drawing showing the relation between the parts

From this reading “"'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.”

ethics noun US /ˈeθɪks/

motivation based on ideas of right and wrong

From this reading “I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.”

hygiene noun US /ˈhaɪdʒiːn/

a condition promoting sanitary practices

From this reading “I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.”

innocents noun US /ˈɪnəsənts/

plural of “innocent” — a person who lacks knowledge of evil

From this reading “INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.”

Peters noun US /ˈpiːtərz/

plural of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading “INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.”

pro noun US /proʊ/

an athlete who plays for pay

From this reading “INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.”

quid noun US /kwɪd/

the basic unit of money in Great Britain and Northern Ireland; equal to 100 pence

From this reading “INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.”

All words in this reading · 77

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 "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "In about half an hour Andy spoke again.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading "In about half an hour Andy spoke again.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading "In about half an hour Andy spoke again.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

Andy

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

From this reading "In about half an hour Andy spoke again.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/

any person at all

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

BROADWAYnounUS /ˈbrɔːdweɪ/

a street in Manhattan that passes through Times Square; famous for its theaters

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/

motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

diagramnounUS /ˈdaɪəɡræm/

a drawing intended to explain how something works; a drawing showing the relation between the parts

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

dollarnounUS /ˈdɑːlər/

the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

don't

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

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

drawverbUS /drɔː/

cause to move by pulling

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

ethicsnounUS /ˈeθɪks/

motivation based on ideas of right and wrong

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

exactlyadverbUS /ɪɡˈzæktli/

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

foot-notes

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

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/

the act of giving

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

halfadjectiveUS /hæf/

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading "In about half an hour Andy spoke again.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

hopenounUS /hoʊp/

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading "In about half an hour Andy spoke again.

hygienenounUS /ˈhaɪdʒiːn/

a condition promoting sanitary practices

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

I'd

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

From this reading I'd like to have it to refer to occasionally.'"

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "In about half an hour Andy spoke again.

INNOCENTSnounUS /ˈɪnəsənts/

plural of “innocent” — a person who lacks knowledge of evil

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I'd like to have it to refer to occasionally.'"

Jeff

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

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/

time available for ease and relaxation

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I'd like to have it to refer to occasionally.'"

man'snounUS /mænz/

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

occasionallyadverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənəli/

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading I'd like to have it to refer to occasionally.'"

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

PetersnounUS /ˈpiːtərz/

plural of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

pronounUS /proʊ/

an athlete who plays for pay

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

quidnounUS /kwɪd/

the basic unit of money in Great Britain and Northern Ireland; equal to 100 pence

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

rata

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

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

referverbUS /rəˈfɜːr/

make reference to

From this reading I'd like to have it to refer to occasionally.'"

retireverbUS /rɪˈtaɪr/

go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

spokenounUS /spoʊk/

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading "In about half an hour Andy spoke again.

systemnounUS /ˈsɪstəm/

instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I'd like to have it to refer to occasionally.'"

understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I think there are times when Andy don't exactly understand my system of ethics and moral hygiene.

wishverbUS /wɪʃ/

hope for; have a wish

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading INNOCENTS OF BROADWAY "I hope some day to retire from business," said Jeff Peters; "and when I do I don't want anybody to be able to say that I ever got a dollar of any man's money without giving him a quid pro rata for it.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

you'd

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

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

yourspronounUS /jʊrz/

the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to

From this reading "'Jeff,' says he, 'some time when you have the leisure I wish you'd draw off a diagram and foot-notes of that conscience of yours.

Chapter 7 of The Gentle Grafter by O. Henry holds 230 sentences, grouped into 46 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 7 of The Gentle Grafter contain?

Chapter 7 holds 230 sentences of The Gentle Grafter, unabridged, divided into 46 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of The Gentle Grafter by O. Henry exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 230 sentences, grouped into 46 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 7 of The Gentle Grafter?

Work through the 46 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 46 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 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 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 Gentle Grafter

Common questions about reading The Gentle Grafter by O. Henry on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Gentle Grafter?

Yes. All 2822 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1805 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Gentle Grafter is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1805, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Gentle Grafter take to read?

About 235 minutes of reading across 565 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Gentle Grafter section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 14 chapters of The Gentle Grafter 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 Gentle Grafter

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Gentle Grafter, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Illustrated
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Gentle Grafter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Greening
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Gentle Grafter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wilson
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Gentle Grafter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Preston
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Gentle Grafter; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.