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The Imperialist
The Imperialist

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for The Imperialist
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”
Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.
Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.
In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.
Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Imperialist

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”
Line 2
Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.
Line 3
Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.
Line 4
In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.
Line 5
Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.”

Confidence noun US /ˈconfidence/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.”

Expect verb US /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading ““Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.””

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.”

Moreover adverb US /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading “Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.””

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.”

All words in this reading · 91

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

abandon

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

act

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

From this reading Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

box

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

boxes

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

From this reading Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.

business

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

From this reading “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

convenience

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

deep-rooted

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

delivering

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

delivery

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

dinner

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

drawn

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

driving

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

dropping

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

earlier

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

Elgin

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

engender

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

enjoyed

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

go

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

got

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

habit

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

home

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”

ice

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”

induce

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

inquiry

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

mail

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

men

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

mere

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

met

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

From this reading Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.

midst

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

Milburn

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

From this reading “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”

MoreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.

much

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

noonday

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

Octavius

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

From this reading “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

otherwise

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

own

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

perfectly

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

post-office

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

From this reading Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.

postal

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

postman

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

said

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

From this reading “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”

several

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

succeeding

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

takes

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.

there's

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

From this reading “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

undoubtedly

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

unlocking

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

From this reading Mr Milburn and Mr Winter had met in the act of unlocking their boxes at the post-office.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

watering-cart

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

way

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

Well

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

From this reading “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

window

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

Winter

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

From this reading “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.

year

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

From this reading Moreover, it takes time to engender confidence in a postman when he is drawn from your midst, and when you know perfectly well that he would otherwise be driving the mere watering-cart, or delivering the mere ice, as he was last year.

years

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

From this reading Elgin had enjoyed postal delivery for several years, but not so much as to induce men of business to abandon the post-office box that had been the great convenience succeeding window inquiry.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Well, Winter,” said Octavius Milburn, “I expect there’s business in this for you.”

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading In time the boxes would go, but the habit of dropping in for your own noonday mail on the way home to dinner was deep-rooted, and undoubtedly you got it earlier.