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The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg, and Other Stories
The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg, and Other Stories

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg, and Other Stories
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.
The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.
If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.
There was no help but in a giant lie, and he girded up his loins and told it.
'The family never found out, G---?'
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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 Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg, and Other Stories

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.
Line 2
The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.
Line 3
If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.
Line 4
There was no help but in a giant lie, and he girded up his loins and told it.
Line 5
'The family never found out, G---?'

Learner Dictionary

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

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “'The family never found out, G---?'”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.”

Help noun US /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was no help but in a giant lie, and he girded up his loins and told it.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “'The family never found out, G---?'”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.”

All words in this reading · 73

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 Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

break

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

From this reading If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There was no help but in a giant lie, and he girded up his loins and told it.

character

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

From this reading The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.

circumstances

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

From this reading The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.

died

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

From this reading The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.

dinner

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

discussed

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

disgraceful

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

From this reading The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

facts

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

From this reading If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.

family

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading 'The family never found out, G---?'

friends

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

G

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

From this reading 'The family never found out, G---?'

giant

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

From this reading There was no help but in a giant lie, and he girded up his loins and told it.

girded

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

From this reading There was no help but in a giant lie, and he girded up his loins and told it.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.

happened

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

head

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

From this reading The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.

hearts

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

From this reading If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was no help but in a giant lie, and he girded up his loins and told it.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

hours

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

how

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

innocent

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

From this reading If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.

just

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

known

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

From this reading If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.

later

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

lie

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

From this reading There was no help but in a giant lie, and he girded up his loins and told it.

load

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

From this reading If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.

loins

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

From this reading There was no help but in a giant lie, and he girded up his loins and told it.

matters

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading 'The family never found out, G---?'

nick

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading There was no help but in a giant lie, and he girded up his loins and told it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

old

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

once

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

other

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

out

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

From this reading 'The family never found out, G---?'

put

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

From this reading If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

ruinously

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

From this reading The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.

service

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

shame

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

From this reading If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.

surroundings

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

From this reading The head of it had suddenly died in circumstances and surroundings of a ruinously disgraceful character.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.

There

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

From this reading There was no help but in a giant lie, and he girded up his loins and told it.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

Two

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

unendurable

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

From this reading If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.

up

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

From this reading There was no help but in a giant lie, and he girded up his loins and told it.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There was no help but in a giant lie, and he girded up his loins and told it.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Two hours later, at dinner, when quite other matters were being discussed, he told how he happened along once just in the nick of time to do a great service for a family who were old friends of his.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading If known the facts would break the hearts of the innocent family and put upon them a load of unendurable shame.