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The Ranch at the Wolverine
The Ranch at the Wolverine

Chapter IX

Cover illustration for The Ranch at the Wolverine
Context Illustration Reading 1/46 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.
His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.
He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.
Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.
Then he flung up his head quite suddenly and gave a snort of understanding.
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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 Ranch at the Wolverine

Chapter IX

Reading 1/46 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.
Line 2
His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.
Line 3
He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.
Line 4
Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.
Line 5
Then he flung up his head quite suddenly and gave a snort of understanding.

Learner Dictionary

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

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then he flung up his head quite suddenly and gave a snort of understanding.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “Then he flung up his head quite suddenly and gave a snort of understanding.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

aching

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

ailed

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

From this reading Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

AREauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

back

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

back-breaking

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

From this reading His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.

BOTTLED

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

breeze

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.

cigarette

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

From this reading Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.

cool

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

day

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.

discouragement

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

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

down

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

dry

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

EMOTIONS

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

few

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

filtered

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

flung

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

From this reading Then he flung up his head quite suddenly and gave a snort of understanding.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

gave

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

From this reading Then he flung up his head quite suddenly and gave a snort of understanding.

gorge

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

ground

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

grow

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

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.

hazelnut

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

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

head

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

From this reading Then he flung up his head quite suddenly and gave a snort of understanding.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.

interest

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

From this reading His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.

made

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

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

minutes

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

monotonous

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

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

movements

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

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.

nugget

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

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

oozed

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

From this reading His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.

out

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

pan

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

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

pleasantly

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then he flung up his head quite suddenly and gave a snort of understanding.

reluctant

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

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

sat

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

second

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

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.

size

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

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

slow

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

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

smoke

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

smoked

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

From this reading Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.

snort

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

From this reading Then he flung up his head quite suddenly and gave a snort of understanding.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He had found a nugget the size of a hazelnut in the second pan that morning, so it was not discouragement that had made his monotonous movements grow slow and reluctant.

steadily

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

From this reading His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.

straightened

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading Then he flung up his head quite suddenly and gave a snort of understanding.

sun

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

sunrise

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

From this reading His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

Then

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

From this reading Then he flung up his head quite suddenly and gave a snort of understanding.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

toil

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

From this reading His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.

understanding

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

From this reading Then he flung up his head quite suddenly and gave a snort of understanding.

UntilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.

up

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

From this reading Then he flung up his head quite suddenly and gave a snort of understanding.

waded

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

Ward

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

warm

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Until he had smoked half the cigarette, he himself did not know what it was that ailed him.

WHENconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading WHEN EMOTIONS ARE BOTTLED One day, when the sun was warm and the breeze that filtered down the gorge was pleasantly cool, Ward straightened his aching back, waded out to dry ground, and sat down to rest a few minutes and make a smoke.

work

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

From this reading His interest in the work had oozed steadily since sunrise, and left nothing but the back-breaking toil.