Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Main Chance
The Main Chance

Chapter XXII

Cover illustration for The Main Chance
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.
He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.
"I didn't expect you back so soon," he said.
Porter looked tired and there were dark rings under his eyes.
"Short horse soon curried," he remarked, pulling a packet from his overcoat.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Main Chance

Chapter XXII

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.
Line 2
He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.
Line 3
"I didn't expect you back so soon," he said.
Line 4
Porter looked tired and there were dark rings under his eyes.
Line 5
"Short horse soon curried," he remarked, pulling a packet from his overcoat.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.”

Expect verb US /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading “"I didn't expect you back so soon," he said.”

JOURNEY noun US /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading “WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Porter looked tired and there were dark rings under his eyes.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “"Short horse soon curried," he remarked, pulling a packet from his overcoat.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I didn't expect you back so soon," he said.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Porter looked tired and there were dark rings under his eyes.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.”

All words in this reading · 63

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 WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

always

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

back

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

best

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

blotter

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

book

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

client's

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

curried

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

From this reading "Short horse soon curried," he remarked, pulling a packet from his overcoat.

dark

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

From this reading Porter looked tired and there were dark rings under his eyes.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

didn't

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

From this reading "I didn't expect you back so soon," he said.

door

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

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/

to think that something will happen

From this reading "I didn't expect you back so soon," he said.

eyes

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

From this reading Porter looked tired and there were dark rings under his eyes.

Fenton

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

Fenton's

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

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

horse

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

From this reading "Short horse soon curried," he remarked, pulling a packet from his overcoat.

humored

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I didn't expect you back so soon," he said.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

JOURNEYnounUS /ˈjourney/

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

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

law

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

locked

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

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Porter looked tired and there were dark rings under his eyes.

office

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

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

overcoat

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

From this reading "Short horse soon curried," he remarked, pulling a packet from his overcoat.

packet

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

From this reading "Short horse soon curried," he remarked, pulling a packet from his overcoat.

pens

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

perforce

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

PORTER

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

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

private

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

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

pulling

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

From this reading "Short horse soon curried," he remarked, pulling a packet from his overcoat.

pushed

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

reading

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

remarked

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

From this reading "Short horse soon curried," he remarked, pulling a packet from his overcoat.

RETURNS

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

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

rings

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

From this reading Porter looked tired and there were dark rings under his eyes.

said

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

From this reading "I didn't expect you back so soon," he said.

ShortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading "Short horse soon curried," he remarked, pulling a packet from his overcoat.

shut

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

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "I didn't expect you back so soon," he said.

soon

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

From this reading "I didn't expect you back so soon," he said.

straightened

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

there

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

From this reading Porter looked tired and there were dark rings under his eyes.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

tired

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

From this reading Porter looked tired and there were dark rings under his eyes.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Porter looked tired and there were dark rings under his eyes.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Porter looked tired and there were dark rings under his eyes.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

whims

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

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He always did this, and Fenton, who humored his best client's whims perforce, pushed back the law book which he was reading and straightened the pens on his blotter.

WILLIAM

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

From this reading WILLIAM PORTER RETURNS FROM A JOURNEY Porter went into Fenton's private office and shut and locked the door after him.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I didn't expect you back so soon," he said.