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Abaft the Funnel
Abaft the Funnel

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of Abaft the Funnel is here in full — 391 sentences across 79 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Abaft the Funnel
Context Illustration Reading 1/78 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
* * * * * Decidedly, leave in England is a disappointing thing.
I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.
Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.
That was an experience.
I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.
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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.

Abaft the Funnel

Chapter VIII

Chapter 8 of Abaft the Funnel is here in full — 391 sentences across 79 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/78 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
* * * * * Decidedly, leave in England is a disappointing thing.
/ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli liːv ɪn ˈɪŋɡlənd ɪz ə ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ θɪŋ/
Line 2
I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.
Line 3
Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.
Line 4
That was an experience.
/ðæt wɑːz æn ɪkˈspɪriəns/
Line 5
I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

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.

bus noun US /bʌs/

a vehicle carrying many passengers; used for public transport

From this reading “I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.”

Decidedly adverb US /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading “* * * * * Decidedly, leave in England is a disappointing thing.”

disappointing adjective US /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/

not up to expectations

From this reading “* * * * * Decidedly, leave in England is a disappointing thing.”

labels noun US /ˈleɪbəlz/

plural of “label” — a brief description given for purposes of identification

From this reading “Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.”

permissible adjective US /pərˈmɪsəbəl/

that may be permitted especially as according to rule

From this reading “I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.”

pike noun US /paɪk/

a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic

From this reading “I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.”

stations noun US /ˈsteɪʃənz/

(Roman Catholic Church) a devotion consisting of fourteen prayers said before a series of fourteen pictures or carvings representing successive incidents during Jesus' passage from Pilate's house to his crucifixion at Calvary

From this reading “I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.”

weedy adjective US /ˈwiːdi/

abounding with or resembling weeds

From this reading “I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.”

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.

East End noun + noun

In this reading “Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.”

on the top preposition + article + noun counted as “on … top”

In this reading “I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.”

labels on verb + particle counted as “label on”

In this reading “Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.”

wandered into verb + particle counted as “wander into”

In this reading “I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.”

great friends adjective + noun counted as “great friend”

In this reading “I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.”

All words in this reading · 58

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 * * * * * Decidedly, leave in England is a disappointing thing.

agreedadjectiveUS /əˈɡriːd/

united by being of the same opinion

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

bagnounUS /bæɡ/

a flexible container with a single opening

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

busnounUS /bʌs/

a vehicle carrying many passengers; used for public transport

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

clubnounUS /klʌb/

a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

DecidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/

without question and beyond doubt

From this reading * * * * * Decidedly, leave in England is a disappointing thing.

disappointingadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/

not up to expectations

From this reading * * * * * Decidedly, leave in England is a disappointing thing.

EastnounUS /iːst/

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

EndnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading * * * * * Decidedly, leave in England is a disappointing thing.

experienceverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriəns/

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading That was an experience.

fishingnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/

the act of someone who fishes as a diversion

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

foregathered

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

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

gorge-tackle

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

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.

I've

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

From this reading I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading * * * * * Decidedly, leave in England is a disappointing thing.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading * * * * * Decidedly, leave in England is a disappointing thing.

labelsnounUS /ˈleɪbəlz/

plural of “label” — a brief description given for purposes of identification

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.

leaveverbUS /liːv/

go away from a place

From this reading * * * * * Decidedly, leave in England is a disappointing thing.

mannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

ohnounUS /oʊ/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

permissibleadjectiveUS /pərˈmɪsəbəl/

that may be permitted especially as according to rule

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

pikenounUS /paɪk/

a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

remainverbUS /rɪˈmeɪn/

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.

stationsnounUS /ˈsteɪʃənz/

(Roman Catholic Church) a devotion consisting of fourteen prayers said before a series of fourteen pictures or carvings representing successive incidents during Jesus' passage from Pilate's house to his crucifixion at Calvary

From this reading I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.

streamsnounUS /striːmz/

plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That was an experience.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading * * * * * Decidedly, leave in England is a disappointing thing.

topnounUS /tɑːp/

the upper part of anything

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

wanderedverbUS /ˈwɑːndərd/

past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading That was an experience.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

weedyadjectiveUS /ˈwiːdi/

abounding with or resembling weeds

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

weighing-in

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

From this reading Nothing but the labels on the bag remain--oh, and a memory of a weighing-in at an East End fishing club.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I foregathered with a man on the top of a 'bus, and we became great friends because we both agreed that gorge-tackle for pike was only permissible in very weedy streams.

wroteverbUS /roʊt/

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading I've wandered into two stations since I wrote the last.

Chapter 8 of Abaft the Funnel by Rudyard Kipling holds 391 sentences, grouped into 79 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 8 of Abaft the Funnel contain?

Chapter 8 holds 391 sentences of Abaft the Funnel, unabridged, divided into 79 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of Abaft the Funnel by Rudyard Kipling exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 391 sentences, grouped into 79 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 8 of Abaft the Funnel?

Work through the 79 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 79 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 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 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 Abaft the Funnel

Common questions about reading Abaft the Funnel by Rudyard Kipling on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Abaft the Funnel?

Yes. All 4029 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #59332 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Abaft the Funnel is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #59332, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Abaft the Funnel take to read?

About 335 minutes of reading across 806 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Abaft the Funnel section by section

How to work through Abaft the Funnel section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 10 chapters of Abaft the Funnel 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 Abaft the Funnel

Words and structures a reader meets early in Abaft the Funnel, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Https
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Abaft the Funnel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Earlier
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Abaft the Funnel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Writer
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Abaft the Funnel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Gathered
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Abaft the Funnel; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.