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Ukridge
Ukridge

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of Ukridge is here in full — 681 sentences across 137 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/136 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.
In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.
The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.
We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.
Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Ukridge

Chapter VII

Chapter 7 of Ukridge is here in full — 681 sentences across 137 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/136 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.
Line 2
In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.
Line 3
The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.
Line 4
We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.
Line 5
Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

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.

deserving adjective US /dɪˈzɜːrvɪŋ/

(often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way

From this reading “In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.”

gripping adjective US /ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/

capable of arousing and holding the attention

From this reading “Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.”

kerb noun US /kɜːrb/

an edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter)

From this reading “We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.”

lunching noun US /ˈlʌntʃɪŋ/

the act of eating lunch

From this reading “We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.”

Mall noun US /mɔːl/

a public area set aside as a pedestrian walk

From this reading “We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.”

optimism noun US /ˈɑːptəmɪzəm/

the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well

From this reading “NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.”

pliers noun US /ˈplaɪərz/

a gripping hand tool with two hinged arms and (usually) serrated jaws

From this reading “We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.”

shiny adjective US /ˈʃaɪni/

reflecting light

From this reading “We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

whole affair adjective + noun

In this reading “NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.”

moral support adjective + noun

In this reading “Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.”

most formidable adverb + adjective

In this reading “In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.”

WEDDING BELLS noun + noun counted as “wedding bell”

In this reading “NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.”

towards the middle preposition + article + noun counted as “towards … middle”

In this reading “The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.”

all things adjective + noun

In this reading “NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.”

came out verb + adjective counted as “come out”

appear or become visible; make a showing

In this reading “We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.”

work together verb + particle

In this reading “NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.”

All words in this reading · 134

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 In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

advancesnounUS /ədˈvænsəz/

plural of “advance” — a movement forward

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

affairnounUS /əˈfer/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.

alighting

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

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

armnounUS /ɑːrm/

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

assistverbUS /əˈsɪst/

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.

BELLSnounUS /belz/

plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

bonnetnounUS /ˈbɑːnət/

a hat tied under the chin

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

carnounUS /kɑːr/

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

casualadjectiveUS /ˈkæʒəwəl/

marked by blithe unconcern

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

chauffeurnounUS /ʃoʊˈfɜːr/

a man paid to drive a privately owned car

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/

satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

deservingadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrvɪŋ/

(often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

drewnounUS /druː/

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

else

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

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

episodenounUS /ˈepəsoʊd/

a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

escapenounUS /ɪˈskeɪp/

the act of escaping physically

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

evidencenounUS /ˈevədəns/

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

ExhibitverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/

show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

expectedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektəd/

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

expensenounUS /ɪkˈspens/

amounts paid for goods and services that may be currently tax deductible (as opposed to capital expenditures)

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/

the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

fiddlenounUS /ˈfɪdəl/

bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

fingerverbUS /ˈfɪŋɡər/

feel or handle with the fingers

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

finishverbUS /ˈfɪnɪʃ/

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmədəbəl/

extremely impressive in strength or excellence

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/

the act of giving

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

glanceverbUS /ɡlæns/

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

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

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

grippingadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/

capable of arousing and holding the attention

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.

Haymarket

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

From this reading The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

HIMpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/

situated within or suitable for inside a building

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

irresistibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbəl/

impossible to resist; overpowering

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

kerbnounUS /kɜːrb/

an edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter)

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

lunchingnounUS /ˈlʌntʃɪŋ/

the act of eating lunch

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

MallnounUS /mɔːl/

a public area set aside as a pedestrian walk

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

marshalling

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

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

meansnounUS /miːnz/

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/

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

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

NOdeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

optimismnounUS /ˈɑːptəmɪzəm/

the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

ourspronounUS /ˈaʊərz/

the one or ones belonging to us

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

pairnounUS /per/

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

PallverbUS /pɑːl/

become less interesting or attractive

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

perilsnounUS /ˈperəlz/

plural of “peril” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

pliersnounUS /ˈplaɪərz/

a gripping hand tool with two hinged arms and (usually) serrated jaws

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

proofnounUS /pruːf/

any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

ProvidencenounUS /ˈprɑː.və.dəns/

The protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. (Sự quan phòng, thiên ý phù hộ.)

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

RestaurantnounUS /ˈrestərɑːnt/

a building where people go to eat

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

righteousadjectiveUS /ˈraɪtʃəs/

characterized by or proceeding from accepted standards of morality or justice

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.

seesnounUS /siːz/

plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

shinyadjectiveUS /ˈʃaɪni/

reflecting light

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

somebodypronounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/

a person, without saying who

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/

something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

startverbUS /stɑːrt/

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

steeredverbUS /stɪrd/

past form of “steer” — direct the course; determine the direction of travelling

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.

sunnyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌni/

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

supportnounUS /səˈpɔːrt/

the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

theorynounUS /ˈθɪri/

a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

toilernoun

one who works strenuously

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading The thing may be said to have had its beginning in the Haymarket one afternoon towards the middle of the summer.

Ukridge

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

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

vouchsafed

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

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

WEDDINGnounUS /ˈwedɪŋ/

the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

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

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading In it, from start to finish, he sees the finger of Providence; and, when marshalling evidence to support his theory that a means of escape from the most formidable perils will always be vouchsafed to the righteous and deserving, this is the episode which he advances as Exhibit A.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading We had been lunching at my expense at the Pall Mall Restaurant, and as we came out a large and shiny car drew up beside the kerb, and the chauffeur, alighting, opened the bonnet and began to fiddle about in its interior with a pair of pliers.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

workingadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrkɪŋ/

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Had I been alone, a casual glance in passing would have contented me, but for Ukridge the spectacle of somebody else working always had an irresistible fascination, and, gripping my arm, he steered me up to assist him in giving the toiler moral support.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading NO WEDDING BELLS FOR HIM To Ukridge, as might be expected from one of his sunny optimism, the whole affair has long since come to present itself in the light of yet another proof of the way in which all things in this world of ours work together for good.

Chapter 7 of Ukridge by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse holds 681 sentences, grouped into 137 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 7 of Ukridge contain?

Chapter 7 holds 681 sentences of Ukridge, unabridged, divided into 137 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 7 of Ukridge by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 681 sentences, grouped into 137 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 7 of Ukridge?

Work through the 137 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 137 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 7 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 7 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 Ukridge

Common questions about reading Ukridge by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Ukridge?

Yes. All 5775 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #61507 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Ukridge is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #61507, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Ukridge take to read?

About 481 minutes of reading across 1155 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Ukridge section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 10 chapters of Ukridge 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 Ukridge

Words and structures a reader meets early in Ukridge, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Count
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Ukridge; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chickens
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Ukridge; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hatched
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Ukridge; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Classic
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Ukridge; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.