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The Under Dog
The Under Dog

Chapter VI · Chapter 6

Chapter 6 of The Under Dog is here in full — 428 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/85 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.
The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.
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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 Under Dog

Chapter VI · Chapter 6

Chapter 6 of The Under Dog is here in full — 428 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.
Line 2
The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.
Line 3
I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.
Line 4
One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.
Line 5
I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

conscientiously adverb US /ˌkɑːntʃiˈentʃəsli/

with extreme conscientiousness

From this reading “The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.”

denounced verb US /dɪˈnaʊnst/

past form of “denounce” — speak out against

From this reading “One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.”

itemized verb US /ˈaɪtəmaɪzd/

past form of “itemize” — specify individually

From this reading “The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.”

outbreak noun US /ˈaʊtbreɪk/

a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)

From this reading “One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.”

reticence noun US /ˈretɪsəns/

the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary

From this reading “This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.”

saucer noun US /ˈsɔːsər/

something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate

From this reading “One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.”

slouch noun US /slaʊtʃ/

an incompetent person; usually used in negative constructions

From this reading “One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.”

weighted adjective US /ˈweɪtɪd/

made heavy or weighted down with weariness

From this reading “I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.”

All words in this reading · 111

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

accountnounUS /əˈkaʊnt/

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

affairsnounUS /əˈferz/

matters of personal concern

From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.

althoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

billnounUS /bɪl/

a statute in draft before it becomes law

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

conscientiouslyadverbUS /ˌkɑːntʃiˈentʃəsli/

with extreme conscientiousness

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

cupped

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

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

debtnounUS /det/

the state of owing something (especially money)

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

denouncedverbUS /dɪˈnaʊnst/

past form of “denounce” — speak out against

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

dischargedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒd/

having lost your job

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

dutiesnounUS /ˈduːtiz/

plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

earlieradverbUS /ˈɜːrliər/

earlier in time; previously

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

elsewhereadverbUS /ˈelswer/

in or to another place

From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.

employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/

a person or firm that employs workers

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

extendedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstendəd/

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.

failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/

a flaw or weak point

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

foodnounUS /fuːd/

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

fortunesnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənz/

plural of “fortune” — an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

greatlyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪtli/

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

hatnounUS /hæt/

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

itemizedverbUS /ˈaɪtəmaɪzd/

past form of “itemize” — specify individually

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

Jim

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

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

lyingnounUS /ˈlaɪɪŋ/

the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

Marvin

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

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

Marvin's

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

From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

moneynounUS /ˈmʌni/

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

neglectverbUS /nəˈɡlekt/

leave undone or leave out

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

obligationnounUS /ˌɑːbləˈɡeɪʃən/

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

outbreaknounUS /ˈaʊtbreɪk/

a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

particularlyadverbUS /ˌpɑːrˈtɪkjələrli/

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

payverbUS /peɪ/

give money, usually in exchange for goods or services

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

relationsnounUS /riˈleɪʃənz/

mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

renderverbUS /ˈrendər/

cause to become

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

requiteverb

make repayment for or return something

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

reticencenounUS /ˈretɪsəns/

the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary

From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.

saucernounUS /ˈsɔːsər/

something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

shelternounUS /ˈʃeltər/

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

slouchnounUS /slaʊtʃ/

an incompetent person; usually used in negative constructions

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

spentadjectiveUS /spent/

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

spiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.

stayedverbUS /steɪd/

past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.

strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/

lacking natural ease

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

strictadjectiveUS /strɪkt/

rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

supposedadjectiveUS /səˈpoʊzd/

required or under orders

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading This reticence also extended to Marvin's affairs.

tryverbUS /traɪ/

make an effort or attempt

From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.

uglyadjectiveUS /ˈʌɡli/

displeasing to the senses

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

unableadjectiveUS /əˈneɪbəl/

(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

usedadjectiveUS /juːzd/

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

weeklynounUS /ˈwiːkli/

a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

weightedadjectiveUS /ˈweɪtɪd/

made heavy or weighted down with weariness

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

whynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading One morning, after a particularly ugly outbreak in which Jim had been denounced for some supposed neglect of his duties, I asked him, then lying beside me, his head cupped upon his saucer of a slouch hat, why he stayed on with a man like Marvin, so different from himself in every way.

wishedverbUS /wɪʃt/

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The relations between them, I saw, were greatly strained, although Jim always discharged his duties conscientiously, never failing to render a strict account of the time he spent with me, which Marvin always itemized in the weekly bill.

wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading I used often to wonder if he were not under some obligation to his employer which he could not requite; it might be for food and shelter in his earlier days, or perhaps that he was weighted by a money debt he was unable to pay.

wonderedverbUS /ˈwʌndərd/

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading I had often wondered why Jim stood it, and wished that he had the spirit to try his fortunes elsewhere.

Chapter 6 of The Under Dog by Francis Hopkinson Smith holds 428 sentences, grouped into 86 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 6 of The Under Dog contain?

Chapter 6 holds 428 sentences of The Under Dog, unabridged, divided into 86 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 6 of The Under Dog by Francis Hopkinson Smith exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 428 sentences, grouped into 86 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 6 of The Under Dog?

Work through the 86 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 86 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 6 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 6 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Under Dog

Common questions about reading The Under Dog by Francis Hopkinson Smith on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Under Dog?

Yes. All 3898 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #9463 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Under Dog is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #9463, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Under Dog take to read?

About 324 minutes of reading across 780 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Under Dog section by section

How to work through The Under Dog section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 9 chapters of The Under Dog to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Under Dog

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Under Dog, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Strife
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Under Dog; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Place
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Under Dog; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Through
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Under Dog; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Physical
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Under Dog; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.