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The Ramrodders: A Novel
The Ramrodders: A Novel

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for The Ramrodders: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/67 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.
Luke Presson and his associates on the State Committee were of that sort.
But Thelismer Thornton was a better politician than they.
The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.
It had been as bitter for Thornton as it had been for the others.
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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 Ramrodders: A Novel

Chapter XX

Reading 1/67 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.
Line 2
Luke Presson and his associates on the State Committee were of that sort.
Line 3
But Thelismer Thornton was a better politician than they.
Line 4
The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.
Line 5
It had been as bitter for Thornton as it had been for the others.

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 “It had been as bitter for Thornton as it had been for the others.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.”

Saved noun US /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.”

All words in this reading · 75

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 STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

associates

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

From this reading Luke Presson and his associates on the State Committee were of that sort.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had been as bitter for Thornton as it had been for the others.

better

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

From this reading But Thelismer Thornton was a better politician than they.

bitter

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

From this reading It had been as bitter for Thornton as it had been for the others.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Thelismer Thornton was a better politician than they.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

called

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

chairman

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

Committee

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

From this reading Luke Presson and his associates on the State Committee were of that sort.

committeemen

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

convention

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

critical

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

defying

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

Duke

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

extremely

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It had been as bitter for Thornton as it had been for the others.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

General

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Luke Presson and his associates on the State Committee were of that sort.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

interests

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

invite

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had been as bitter for Thornton as it had been for the others.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

loyal

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

Luke

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

From this reading Luke Presson and his associates on the State Committee were of that sort.

machine

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

men

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

moment

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

MULE

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Luke Presson and his associates on the State Committee were of that sort.

off

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Luke Presson and his associates on the State Committee were of that sort.

opinions

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

others

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

From this reading It had been as bitter for Thornton as it had been for the others.

politician

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

From this reading But Thelismer Thornton was a better politician than they.

politicians

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

Presson

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

From this reading Luke Presson and his associates on the State Committee were of that sort.

ready

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

room

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

ruin

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

runs

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

sacrifice

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

savednounUS /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

smoothly

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

Some

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

sort

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

From this reading Luke Presson and his associates on the State Committee were of that sort.

stage

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

STARTING

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

State

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

From this reading Luke Presson and his associates on the State Committee were of that sort.

TEAM

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But Thelismer Thornton was a better politician than they.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Luke Presson and his associates on the State Committee were of that sort.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

Thelismer

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

From this reading But Thelismer Thornton was a better politician than they.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

Thornton

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

From this reading But Thelismer Thornton was a better politician than they.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading STARTING A MULE TEAM Some men are extremely good and loyal politicians so long as the machine runs smoothly, and they are not called upon to sacrifice their interests and their opinions.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But Thelismer Thornton was a better politician than they.

Waymouth

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

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Luke Presson and his associates on the State Committee were of that sort.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The Duke had saved the chairman and his committeemen from themselves at that critical moment in the little room off the convention stage, when they were ready to invite ruin by defying General Waymouth.