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With Links of Steel
With Links of Steel

Chapter XX

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Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE BOOT ON THE OTHER LEG.
In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.
The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.
Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.
Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

With Links of Steel

Chapter XX

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE BOOT ON THE OTHER LEG.
Line 2
In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.
Line 3
The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.
Line 4
Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.
Line 5
Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.”

Growling noun US /ˈgrowling/

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

From this reading “Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.”

Waiting noun US /ˈwaiting/

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

From this reading “The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

acting

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

action

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

From this reading In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

all

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

BOOT

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

From this reading THE BOOT ON THE OTHER LEG.

carriage

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

Chick

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

complement

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

counting

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

Dalton

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

departed

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

departure

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

distrust

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

endurance

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

entire

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

enveloped

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

excitement

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

From this reading In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.

exhausted

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

eyes

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

fairly

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

fingers

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

five

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

four

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

gloom

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

grim

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

growlingnounUS /ˈgrowling/

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

hand

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

heat

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

From this reading In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

impatience

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.

intense

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

LEG

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

From this reading THE BOOT ON THE OTHER LEG.

like

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

limit

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

longer

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

mentally

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

minute

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

minutes

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

From this reading In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.

misgivings

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

motionless

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

Nick's

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

night

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE BOOT ON THE OTHER LEG.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

one's

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

OTHER

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

From this reading THE BOOT ON THE OTHER LEG.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

passing

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

riveted

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

ruffian

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

sat

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

scoring

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

seat

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

seconds

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

seems

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

sides

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

sits

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

Spotty

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

spurs

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

suffered

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

ten

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

From this reading In the heat of action and excitement ten minutes are as nothing.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE BOOT ON THE OTHER LEG.

then

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

thumb

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

uncertainty

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

very

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

From this reading Before five minutes had fairly passed, after Nick's departure, Spotty Dalton had suffered his misgivings to the very limit of his endurance.

vigilance

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

waiting

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

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading Chick sat mentally counting the passing seconds, then scoring each departed minute with his fingers, of which he had exhausted four and a thumb, the entire complement of one hand; and all the while his eyes were riveted with intense vigilance upon the growling ruffian on the seat above him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The time seems longer, however, when one sits waiting in a motionless carriage, enveloped in the gloom of night, with grim distrust and uncertainty acting like spurs in the sides of one's impatience.