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Twenty Years of Hus'ling
Twenty Years of Hus'ling

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of Twenty Years of Hus'ling is here in full — 449 sentences across 90 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/89 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MR.
KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.
I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.
I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.
She said she was glad to hear that, as it had worried her night and day during the whole time I was in that business.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Twenty Years of Hus'ling

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of Twenty Years of Hus'ling is here in full — 449 sentences across 90 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/89 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MR.
/ˈmɪstər/
Line 2
KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.
Line 3
I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.
Line 4
I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.
/aɪ toʊld hɜːr ʌv maɪ ˈvɑːrnɪʃ ɪkˈspɪriəns ənd əˈbaʊt maɪ ˈresəpi fɔːr ðə piˈænoʊ ənd ˈfɜːrnɪtʃər ˈpɑːlɪʃ ənd əˈʃʊrd hɜːr ðæt aɪ hæd meɪd ə fɜːrm ˌrezəˈluːʃən ˈnevər tuː sel əˈnʌðər ˈpætənt raɪt/
Line 5
She said she was glad to hear that, as it had worried her night and day during the whole time I was in that business.
/ʃiː sed ʃiː wɑːz ɡlæd tuː hiːr ðæt æz ɪt hæd ˈwɜːrid hɜːr naɪt ənd deɪ ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə hoʊl taɪm aɪ wɑːz ɪn ðæt ˈbɪznəs/

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.

collapsed verb US /kəˈlæpst/

past form of “collapse” — break down, literally or metaphorically

From this reading “KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.”

license noun US /ˈlaɪsəns/

a legal document giving official permission to do something

From this reading “KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.”

michigan noun US /ˈmɪʃɪɡən/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading “KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.”

peddling noun US /ˈpedəlɪŋ/

the act of selling goods for a living

From this reading “KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.”

pours verb US /pɔːrz/

third-person singular of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading “KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.”

recipe noun US /ˈresəpi/

directions for making something

From this reading “I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.”

refuses noun US /rəˈfjuːzəz/

plural of “refuse” — food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)

From this reading “KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.”

varnish noun US /ˈvɑːrnɪʃ/

a coating that provides a hard, lustrous, transparent finish to a surface

From this reading “I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.”

All words in this reading · 83

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 KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

ARRESTEDverbUS /ərˈestɪd/

past form of “arrest” — take into custody

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading She said she was glad to hear that, as it had worried her night and day during the whole time I was in that business.

assuredadjectiveUS /əˈʃʊrd/

marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

BUTconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

CALLEDverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

COLLAPSEDverbUS /kəˈlæpst/

past form of “collapse” — break down, literally or metaphorically

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

discussverbUS /dɪˈskʌs/

to consider or examine in speech or writing

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

experienceverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriəns/

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

firmadjectiveUS /fɜːrm/

marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

FOOTnounUS /fʊt/

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

FORTUNEnounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

FURNITUREnounUS /ˈfɜːrnɪtʃər/

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

futureadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtʃər/

yet to be or coming

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

gladadjectiveUS /ɡlæd/

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading She said she was glad to hear that, as it had worried her night and day during the whole time I was in that business.

GOODadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

HAVINGauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

hearverbUS /hiːr/

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading She said she was glad to hear that, as it had worried her night and day during the whole time I was in that business.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

HOMEnounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading She said she was glad to hear that, as it had worried her night and day during the whole time I was in that business.

ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

KEEFER

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

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

LICENSEnounUS /ˈlaɪsəns/

a legal document giving official permission to do something

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

LOANnounUS /loʊn/

the temporary provision of money (usually at interest)

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

MAKINGnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

MEpronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

MICHIGANnounUS /ˈmɪʃɪɡən/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

MORALadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/

concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

MOTHERnounUS /ˈmʌðər/

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

MRnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading MR.

MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

NEVERadverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading She said she was glad to hear that, as it had worried her night and day during the whole time I was in that business.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

patentverbUS /ˈpætənt/

obtain a patent for

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

PEDDLINGnounUS /ˈpedəlɪŋ/

the act of selling goods for a living

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/

a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

POLISHnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃ/

the property of being smooth and shiny

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

POURSverbUS /pɔːrz/

third-person singular of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

RAINSnounUS /reɪnz/

plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

RAISEverbUS /reɪz/

raise the level or amount of something

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

recipenounUS /ˈresəpi/

directions for making something

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

REFUSESnounUS /rəˈfjuːzəz/

plural of “refuse” — food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

remainedverbUS /rɪˈmeɪnd/

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

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

resolutionnounUS /ˌrezəˈluːʃən/

a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading She said she was glad to hear that, as it had worried her night and day during the whole time I was in that business.

sellverbUS /sel/

exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

SELLINGnounUS /ˈselɪŋ/

the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She said she was glad to hear that, as it had worried her night and day during the whole time I was in that business.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

THROUGHprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

TOLDverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

TRIPnounUS /trɪp/

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

varnishnounUS /ˈvɑːrnɪʃ/

a coating that provides a hard, lustrous, transparent finish to a surface

From this reading I told her of my varnish experience, and about my recipe for the piano and furniture polish, and assured her that I had made a firm resolution never to sell another patent right.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading I remained at home but a day or two, during which time Mr. Keefer was called away on business, leaving my mother and myself to discuss the future together.

wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading She said she was glad to hear that, as it had worried her night and day during the whole time I was in that business.

WITHOUTprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading KEEFER CALLED FROM HOME--MY MOTHER REFUSES ME A LOAN--PEDDLING FURNITURE POLISH ON FOOT--HAVING MY FORTUNE TOLD--MY TRIP THROUGH MICHIGAN--ARRESTED FOR SELLING WITHOUT LICENSE--"IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS"--COLLAPSED--A GOOD MORAL--MAKING A RAISE.

worriedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrid/

afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief

From this reading She said she was glad to hear that, as it had worried her night and day during the whole time I was in that business.

Chapter 12 of Twenty Years of Hus'ling by J. P. (James Perry) Johnston holds 449 sentences, grouped into 90 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 12 of Twenty Years of Hus'ling contain?

Chapter 12 holds 449 sentences of Twenty Years of Hus'ling, unabridged, divided into 90 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of Twenty Years of Hus'ling by J. P. (James Perry) Johnston exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 449 sentences, grouped into 90 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 12 of Twenty Years of Hus'ling?

Work through the 90 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 90 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 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 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 Twenty Years of Hus'ling

Common questions about reading Twenty Years of Hus'ling by J. P. (James Perry) Johnston on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Twenty Years of Hus'ling?

Yes. All 5430 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #25087 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Twenty Years of Hus'ling is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #25087, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Twenty Years of Hus'ling take to read?

About 452 minutes of reading across 1086 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Twenty Years of Hus'ling section by section

How to work through Twenty Years of Hus'ling section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 21 chapters of Twenty Years of Hus'ling 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 Twenty Years of Hus'ling

Words and structures a reader meets early in Twenty Years of Hus'ling, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Twenty Years of Hus'ling; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Auctioneer's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Twenty Years of Hus'ling; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Guide
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Twenty Years of Hus'ling; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Portraying
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Twenty Years of Hus'ling; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.