adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading The crop--such as it was--had been harvested and sold, and there had been a general relaxation of activity for upwards of a month.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
aheadadverbUS /əˈhed/
at or in the front
From this reading He scented a hard day's work ahead of him, and was anxious to be at it betimes.
aidnounUS /eɪd/
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/
eagerly desirous
From this reading He scented a hard day's work ahead of him, and was anxious to be at it betimes.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The crop--such as it was--had been harvested and sold, and there had been a general relaxation of activity for upwards of a month.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He scented a hard day's work ahead of him, and was anxious to be at it betimes.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He scented a hard day's work ahead of him, and was anxious to be at it betimes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For the last three weeks little had been done.
betimesadverb
in good time
From this reading He scented a hard day's work ahead of him, and was anxious to be at it betimes.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
breakfastverbUS /ˈbrekfəst/
eat an early morning meal
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
contractsnounUS /ˈkɑːntrækts/
plural of “contract” — a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
cookverbUS /kʊk/
prepare a hot meal
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
cropnounUS /krɑːp/
the yield from plants in a single growing season
From this reading The crop--such as it was--had been harvested and sold, and there had been a general relaxation of activity for upwards of a month.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He scented a hard day's work ahead of him, and was anxious to be at it betimes.
DerricknounUS /ˈderɪk/
a framework erected over an oil well to allow drill tubes to be raised and lowered
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
detailsnounUS /dɪˈteɪlz/
true confidential information
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
directionnounUS /dərˈekʃən/
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
divisionnounUS /dɪˈvɪʒən/
an army unit large enough to sustain combat
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading For the last three weeks little had been done.
entireadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtaɪər/
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
executingnounUS /ˈeksəkjuːtɪŋ/
putting a condemned person to death
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the last three weeks little had been done.
foremannounUS /ˈfɔːrmən/
a person who exercises control over workers
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The crop--such as it was--had been harvested and sold, and there had been a general relaxation of activity for upwards of a month.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
hardadjectiveUS /hɑːrd/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading He scented a hard day's work ahead of him, and was anxious to be at it betimes.
Harran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
harvestedverbUS /ˈhɑːrvəstɪd/
past form of “harvest” — gather, as of natural products
From this reading The crop--such as it was--had been harvested and sold, and there had been a general relaxation of activity for upwards of a month.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He scented a hard day's work ahead of him, and was anxious to be at it betimes.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He scented a hard day's work ahead of him, and was anxious to be at it betimes.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He scented a hard day's work ahead of him, and was anxious to be at it betimes.
keepingnounUS /ˈkiːpɪŋ/
conformity or harmony
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
kitchennounUS /ˈkɪtʃən/
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/
set down according to a plan
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading For the last three weeks little had been done.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
Los
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
managernounUS /ˈmænədʒər/
someone who controls resources and expenditures
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
monthnounUS /mʌnθ/
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The crop--such as it was--had been harvested and sold, and there had been a general relaxation of activity for upwards of a month.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
Muertos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
occupyingverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “occupy” — keep busy with
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
ordersnounUS /ˈɔːrdərz/
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
payingadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪɪŋ/
yielding a fair profit
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
plansnounUS /plænz/
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
preferringverbUS /prɪˈfɜːrɪŋ/
inflected form of “prefer” — like better; value more highly
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
quarternounUS /ˈkwɔːrtər/
one of four equal parts
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
regularadjectiveUS /ˈreɡjələr/
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
relaxationnounUS /ˌriːlækˈseɪʃən/
(physiology) the gradual lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers
From this reading The crop--such as it was--had been harvested and sold, and there had been a general relaxation of activity for upwards of a month.
scentedadjectiveUS /ˈsentɪd/
having the sense of smell
From this reading He scented a hard day's work ahead of him, and was anxious to be at it betimes.
signingnounUS /ˈsaɪnɪŋ/
language expressed by visible hand gestures
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
soldadjectiveUS /soʊld/
disposed of to a purchaser
From this reading The crop--such as it was--had been harvested and sold, and there had been a general relaxation of activity for upwards of a month.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The crop--such as it was--had been harvested and sold, and there had been a general relaxation of activity for upwards of a month.
superintendentsnounUS /ˌsuːpərənˈtendənts/
plural of “superintendent” — a person who directs and manages an organization
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The crop--such as it was--had been harvested and sold, and there had been a general relaxation of activity for upwards of a month.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
upwardsadverbUS /ˈʌpwərdz/
spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
From this reading The crop--such as it was--had been harvested and sold, and there had been a general relaxation of activity for upwards of a month.
waitverbUS /weɪt/
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the following morning, Harran Derrick was up and about by a little after six o'clock, and a quarter of an hour later had breakfast in the kitchen of the ranch house, preferring not to wait until the Chinese cook laid the table in the regular dining-room.
weeksnounUS /wiːks/
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading For the last three weeks little had been done.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was practically the manager of Los Muertos, and, with the aid of his foreman and three division superintendents, carried forward nearly the entire direction of the ranch, occupying himself with the details of his father's plans, executing his orders, signing contracts, paying bills, and keeping the books.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He scented a hard day's work ahead of him, and was anxious to be at it betimes.
