A quiet valley

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of A quiet valley is here in full — 178 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Agnes Giberne • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

A SEARCH.

DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock.

Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

Joan was by this time exceedingly wide awake; and efforts had been made to detach her from George in time for dinner, Dulcibel proposing to remain upstairs in charge of the little creature, having a tray sent up for herself.

Narrator

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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.

Chapter III Reading 1/35

A quiet valley Agnes Giberne

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of A quiet valley is here in full — 178 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

A SEARCH. DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock. Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape. Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms. Joan was by this time exceedingly wide awake; and efforts had been made to detach her from George in time for dinner, Dulcibel proposing to remain upstairs in charge of the little creature, having a tray sent up for herself.

A quiet valley

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of A quiet valley is here in full — 178 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

A SEARCH.

/ə sɜːrtʃ/

Line 2

DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock.

/ˈdɪnər ɪn ðə hoʊˈtel wɑːz sɜːrvd ˈɔːlweɪz æt sɪks əˈklɑːk/

Line 3

Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

/ðoʊ naʊ ˈsʌmˈwʌt leɪt ɪn ðə ˈsiːzən ˈtʊrəsts tuː ðə ˈnʌmbər ʌv ˈfɪfti stɪl ˈmʌstərd ərˈaʊnd ðə ˈteɪbəl ʌv ˈhɔːrsʃuː ʃeɪp/

Line 4

Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

Line 5

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.

detach verb US /ˈdɪtætʃ/

cause to become detached or separated; take off

From this reading “Joan was by this time exceedingly wide awake; and efforts had been made to detach her from George in time for dinner, Dulcibel proposing to remain upstairs in charge of the little creature, having a tray sent up for herself.”

horseshoe noun US /ˈhɔːrsʃuː/

game equipment consisting of an open ring of iron used in playing horseshoes

From this reading “Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.”

infant noun US /ˈɪnfənt/

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading “Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.”

mustered verb US /ˈmʌstərd/

past form of “muster” — gather or bring together

From this reading “Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.”

proposing verb US /prəˈpoʊzɪŋ/

-ing form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

Rutherford noun US /ˈrʌθərfərd/

a unit strength of a radioactive source equal to one million disintegrations per second

From this reading “Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.”

tourists noun US /ˈtʊrəsts/

plural of “tourist” — someone who travels for pleasure

From this reading “Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.”

tray noun US /treɪ/

an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food

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.

little creature adjective + noun

In this reading “Joan was by this time exceedingly wide awake; and efforts had been made to detach her from George in time for dinner, Dulcibel proposing to remain upstairs in charge of the little creature, having a tray sent up for herself.”

around the table preposition + article + noun counted as “around … table”

In this reading “Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.”

somewhat late adverb + adjective

In this reading “Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.”

charge of verb + particle

for dinner preposition + noun

at six preposition + noun

In this reading “DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock.”

All words in this reading · 71

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 A SEARCH.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Joan was by this time exceedingly wide awake; and efforts had been made to detach her from George in time for dinner, Dulcibel proposing to remain upstairs in charge of the little creature, having a tray sent up for herself.

appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/

weapons considered collectively

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock.

awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/

not in a state of sleep; completely conscious

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

causedverbUS /kɑːzd/

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

chargeverbUS /tʃɑːrdʒ/

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

ConsiderableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

creaturenounUS /ˈkriːtʃər/

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

dark-browed

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

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

detachverbUS /ˈdɪtætʃ/

cause to become detached or separated; take off

DINNERnounUS /ˈdɪnər/

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock.

Dulcibel

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

effortsnounUS /ˈefərts/

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

exceedinglyadverbUS /ɪkˈsiːdɪŋli/

to an extreme degree

fiftynounUS /ˈfɪfti/

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

GeorgenounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

horseshoenounUS /ˈhɔːrsʃuː/

game equipment consisting of an open ring of iron used in playing horseshoes

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

hotelnounUS /hoʊˈtel/

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock.

infantnounUS /ˈɪnfənt/

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

interestingadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

Joan

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

lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

musteredverbUS /ˈmʌstərd/

past form of “muster” — gather or bring together

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/

according to the clock

From this reading DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

proposingverbUS /prəˈpoʊzɪŋ/

-ing form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

remainverbUS /rɪˈmeɪn/

stay the same; remain in a certain state

RutherfordnounUS /ˈrʌθərfərd/

a unit strength of a radioactive source equal to one million disintegrations per second

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

SEARCHverbUS /sɜːrtʃ/

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading A SEARCH.

seasonnounUS /ˈsiːzən/

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

sensationnounUS /senˈseɪʃən/

an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

sentnounUS /sent/

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

servedverbUS /sɜːrvd/

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock.

shapenounUS /ʃeɪp/

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

sixnounUS /sɪks/

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock.

somewhatadverbUS /ˈsʌmˈwʌt/

to a small degree or extent

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

touristsnounUS /ˈtʊrəsts/

plural of “tourist” — someone who travels for pleasure

From this reading Though now somewhat late in the season, tourists to the number of fifty still mustered around the table of horseshoe shape.

traynounUS /treɪ/

an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

upstairsadverbUS /əpˈsterz/

on a floor above

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading DINNER in the hotel was served always at six o’clock.

wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Considerable sensation was caused by the late appearance of that “interesting man, Mr. Rutherford,” with a dark-browed infant in his arms.

Chapter 3 of A quiet valley by Agnes Giberne holds 178 sentences, grouped into 36 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 3 of A quiet valley contain?

Chapter 3 holds 178 sentences of A quiet valley, unabridged, divided into 36 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of A quiet valley by Agnes Giberne exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 178 sentences, grouped into 36 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 3 of A quiet valley?

Work through the 36 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 36 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 A quiet valley

Common questions about reading A quiet valley by Agnes Giberne on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A quiet valley?

Yes. All 5356 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #71132 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A quiet valley is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #71132, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 446 minutes of reading across 1072 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in A quiet valley

Words and structures a reader meets early in A quiet valley, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Gwendoline: A word that appears in the opening chapter of A quiet valley; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Halcots: A word that appears in the opening chapter of A quiet valley; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
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Through: A word that appears in the opening chapter of A quiet valley; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter III

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