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A String of Pearls
A String of Pearls

Chapter XII

Chapter 12 of A String of Pearls is here in full — 54 sentences across 11 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Various • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for A String of Pearls
Context Illustration Reading 1/10 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.
Soon after Christmas we had a visit from a party of Brules.
The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.
He has died since then.
His name was _Wah-bah-hooter_, or "long-mane" (long hair).
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.

A String of Pearls

Chapter XII

Chapter 12 of A String of Pearls is here in full — 54 sentences across 11 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/10 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.
Line 2
Soon after Christmas we had a visit from a party of Brules.
Line 3
The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.
Line 4
He has died since then.
/hiː hæz daɪd sɪns ðen/
Line 5
His name was _Wah-bah-hooter_, or "long-mane" (long hair).

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.

caches noun US /ˈkæʃɪz/

plural of “cache” — a hidden storage space (for money or provisions or weapons)

From this reading “VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
cooking noun US /ˈkʊkɪŋ/

the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

From this reading “VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
feast noun US /fiːst/

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading “VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
meat noun US /miːt/

the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food

From this reading “VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nation noun US /ˈneɪʃən/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading “The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pillow noun US /ˈpɪloʊ/

a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading “VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shooting noun US /ˈʃuːtɪŋ/

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading “VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sixty adjective US /ˈsɪksti/

being ten more than fifty

From this reading “The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

sixty years adjective + noun

In this reading “The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.”

2,896 times in 426,211 chapters
fine-looking man adjective + noun

In this reading “The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.”

375 times in 426,211 chapters
long hair adjective + noun

In this reading “His name was _Wah-bah-hooter_, or "long-mane" (long hair).”

3,151 times in 426,211 chapters
since then preposition + adverb

In this reading “He has died since then.”

10,187 times in 426,211 chapters
VISIT FROM verb + particle

In this reading “VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.”

3,921 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 50

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 Soon after Christmas we had a visit from a party of Brules.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Soon after Christmas we had a visit from a party of Brules.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
agenounUS /eɪdʒ/

how long something has existed

From this reading The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BRULES

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

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

Pending verification
CACHESnounUS /ˈkæʃɪz/

plural of “cache” — a hidden storage space (for money or provisions or weapons)

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
chiefnounUS /tʃiːf/

a person who is in charge

From this reading The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading Soon after Christmas we had a visit from a party of Brules.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
COOKINGnounUS /ˈkʊkɪŋ/

the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CURIOUSadjectiveUS /ˈkjʊriəs/

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
diedverbUS /daɪd/

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading He has died since then.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DOGnounUS /dɔːɡ/

a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FEASTnounUS /fiːst/

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fine-lookingadjective

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FISHnounUS /fɪʃ/

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Soon after Christmas we had a visit from a party of Brules.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hairnounUS /her/

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading His name was _Wah-bah-hooter_, or "long-mane" (long hair).

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading He has died since then.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He has died since then.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His name was _Wah-bah-hooter_, or "long-mane" (long hair).

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HONORnounUS /ˈɑːnər/

a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
JOURNEYverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

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

From this reading His name was _Wah-bah-hooter_, or "long-mane" (long hair).

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
long-mane

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

From this reading His name was _Wah-bah-hooter_, or "long-mane" (long hair).

Pending verification
mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MANNERnounUS /ˈmænər/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MEATnounUS /miːt/

the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading His name was _Wah-bah-hooter_, or "long-mane" (long hair).

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nationnounUS /ˈneɪʃən/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OPENINGnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading His name was _Wah-bah-hooter_, or "long-mane" (long hair).

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
partynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Soon after Christmas we had a visit from a party of Brules.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PILLOWnounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/

a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
RETURNverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrn/

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SEATnounUS /siːt/

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SHOOTINGnounUS /ˈʃuːtɪŋ/

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading He has died since then.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
sixtyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪksti/

being ten more than fifty

From this reading The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SoonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading Soon after Christmas we had a visit from a party of Brules.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading He has died since then.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
VISITverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading VISIT FROM THE BRULES--FEAST ON DOG MEAT--SEAT OF HONOR ON THE PILLOW--RETURN JOURNEY--OPENING CACHES--SHOOTING FISH--CURIOUS MANNER OF COOKING FISH.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Wah-bah-hooter

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

From this reading His name was _Wah-bah-hooter_, or "long-mane" (long hair).

Pending verification
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Soon after Christmas we had a visit from a party of Brules.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading The chief of this nation was a fine-looking man, about sixty years of age.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 12 of A String of Pearls by Various holds 54 sentences, grouped into 11 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 12 of A String of Pearls contain?

Chapter 12 holds 54 sentences of A String of Pearls, unabridged, divided into 11 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of A String of Pearls by Various exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 54 sentences, grouped into 11 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 12 of A String of Pearls?

Work through the 11 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 11 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 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 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 String of Pearls

Common questions about reading A String of Pearls by Various on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A String of Pearls?

Yes. All 1313 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #46733 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A String of Pearls is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #46733, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A String of Pearls take to read?

About 109 minutes of reading across 263 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A String of Pearls section by section

How to work through A String of Pearls section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 20 chapters of A String of Pearls to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in A String of Pearls

Words and structures a reader meets early in A String of Pearls, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Faith-promoting
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A String of Pearls; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Series
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A String of Pearls; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Designed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A String of Pearls; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Instruction
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A String of Pearls; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.