Chapter 20 of A Family of Noblemen is here in full — 145 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter XX
Chapter 20 of A Family of Noblemen is here in full — 145 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea. Of course, Porfiry Vladimirych was not slow to open a conversation. "Well, were you there?" "Yes, I was." "Did you pray at the grave?
Chapter 20 of A Family of Noblemen is here in full — 145 sentences across 29 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading “When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.”
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading “When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.”
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading “When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.”
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading “When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.”
address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading “"Did you pray at the grave?”
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading “Of course, Porfiry Vladimirych was not slow to open a conversation.”
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading “When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.”
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading “When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.”
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.
as might be expected
In this reading “Of course, Porfiry Vladimirych was not slow to open a conversation.”
In this reading “When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.”
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.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Did you pray at the grave?
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Of course, Porfiry Vladimirych was not slow to open a conversation.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course, Porfiry Vladimirych was not slow to open a conversation.
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
death of a person
From this reading "Did you pray at the grave?
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Yes, I was."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of course, Porfiry Vladimirych was not slow to open a conversation.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Of course, Porfiry Vladimirych was not slow to open a conversation.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Porfiry Vladimirych was not slow to open a conversation.
address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading "Did you pray at the grave?
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading Of course, Porfiry Vladimirych was not slow to open a conversation.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
carry out
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Well, were you there?"
in spite of the fact that
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
precisely as stated
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course, Porfiry Vladimirych was not slow to open a conversation.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, were you there?"
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Well, were you there?"
at the time that
From this reading When Anninka returned to her uncle's, she was dull and silent, though she did feel a bit hungry (in the hurry, uncle had not given her some chicken to take along) and was very glad the table was already set for tea.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, I was."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well, were you there?"
Chapter 20 of A Family of Noblemen by Mikhail Evgrafovich Saltykov holds 145 sentences, grouped into 29 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.
Chapter 20 holds 145 sentences of A Family of Noblemen, unabridged, divided into 29 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 20 of A Family of Noblemen by Mikhail Evgrafovich Saltykov exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 145 sentences, grouped into 29 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.
Work through the 29 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 29 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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 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.
Common questions about reading A Family of Noblemen by Mikhail Evgrafovich Saltykov on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 7878 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #44237 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #44237, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 600 minutes of reading across 1576 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through A Family of Noblemen section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 35 chapters of A Family of Noblemen to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in A Family of Noblemen, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
