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When Egypt Went Broke: A Novel
When Egypt Went Broke: A Novel

Chapter X

Cover illustration for When Egypt Went Broke: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.
What had happened to Tasper Britt?
How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.
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.

When Egypt Went Broke: A Novel

Chapter X

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.
Line 2
The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.
Line 3
What had happened to Tasper Britt?
Line 4
How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?
Line 5
His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

Learner Dictionary

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

Couple noun US /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading “The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.”

SEALED adjective US /siːld/

closed and kept secret in this chapter’s sailing situation

From this reading “SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.”

All words in this reading · 78

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

ALL

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

attention

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

bell

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

bits

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

brain-twisters

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

From this reading The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.

Britt

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

From this reading What had happened to Tasper Britt?

Britt's

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

From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

case

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

From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

Cashier

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

From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?

character

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

From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

community

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/

two people or things considered together

From this reading The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.

cowbell

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

cur

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

cur's

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?

effectually

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

Egypt

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

From this reading The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.

entire

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

fad

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

few

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

folks

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

From this reading The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.

food

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

From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.

happen

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

From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?

happened

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

From this reading What had happened to Tasper Britt?

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?

hitched

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

holding

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

From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?

How

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

From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?

job

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

From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?

knew

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

From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

MOUTHS

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

much

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

From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

new

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

now

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

occupy

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

pretty

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

From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

puzzle

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

SACKS

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

SEALEDadjectiveUS /siːld/

closed and kept secret in this chapter’s sailing situation

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

solve

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

From this reading The folks of Egypt had a couple of brain-twisters to solve.

speculation

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

From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

stick

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

string

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

tail

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

Tasper

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

From this reading What had happened to Tasper Britt?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

then

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

townsfolk

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

From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

trick

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

twisted

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

undivided

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

up

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

Vaniman

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

From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading How did it happen that Cashier Vaniman was holding on to his job?

well

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

From this reading His townsfolk knew Britt's character pretty well, and they had much food for speculation in his case.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What had happened to Tasper Britt?

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.

wire

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

From this reading SACKS AND MOUTHS--ALL SEALED Every now and then the fad of a new trick puzzle--a few bits of twisted wire, or a stick and a string--will as effectually occupy the time of an entire community as a cowbell will take up the undivided attention of a cur, if the bell is hitched to the cur's tail.