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Active Service

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Active Service is here in full — 235 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Stephen Crane • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Active Service

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

Furthermore, it had only one eye.

This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

He was also a correspondent of the New York Eclipse.

Narrator

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.

Chapter III Reading 1/47

Active Service

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Active Service is here in full — 235 sentences across 47 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/47 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

Line 2

In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

Line 3

Furthermore, it had only one eye.

Line 4

This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

Line 5

He was also a correspondent of the New York Eclipse.

All words in this reading · 64

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.

a

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

also

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

From this reading He was also a correspondent of the New York Eclipse.

and

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

arms

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

babe

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

been

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

birth

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

bits

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

bone

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

born

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

but

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

chest

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

child

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

correspondent

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

From this reading He was also a correspondent of the New York Eclipse.

counties

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

country

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

days

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

ears

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

Eclipse

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

From this reading He was also a correspondent of the New York Eclipse.

editor

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

eye

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

From this reading Furthermore, it had only one eye.

fin-like

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

four

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

from

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

Furthermore

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

From this reading Furthermore, it had only one eye.

growing

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

had

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

hands

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

He

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

From this reading He was also a correspondent of the New York Eclipse.

in

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

it

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

From this reading Furthermore, it had only one eye.

its

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

limbs

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

lived

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

Massachusetts

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

mere

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

Michaelstown

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

New

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

From this reading He was also a correspondent of the New York Eclipse.

news

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

no

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

of

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

one

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

only

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

From this reading Furthermore, it had only one eye.

pair

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

phenomenon

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

place

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

reached

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

road

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

skin-covered

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

that

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

the

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

THERE

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

This

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

through

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

travelled

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

Tribune

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

until

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

up

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

upper

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

From this reading In place of upper limbs the child had growing from its chest a pair of fin-like hands, mere bits of skin-covered bone.

village

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

From this reading This phenomenon lived four days, but the news of the birth had travelled up this country road and through that village until it reached the ears of the editor of the Michaelstown Tribune.

was

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

From this reading He was also a correspondent of the New York Eclipse.

western

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

with

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

From this reading THERE had been a babe with no arms born in one of the western counties of Massachusetts.

York

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

From this reading He was also a correspondent of the New York Eclipse.

Chapter 3 of Active Service by Stephen Crane holds 235 sentences, grouped into 47 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 Active Service contain?

Chapter 3 holds 235 sentences of Active Service, unabridged, divided into 47 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of Active Service by Stephen Crane exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 235 sentences, grouped into 47 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 Active Service?

Work through the 47 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 47 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 Active Service

Common questions about reading Active Service by Stephen Crane on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Active Service?

Yes. All 5592 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #2364 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Active Service is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #2364, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Active Service take to read?

About 466 minutes of reading across 1119 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Active Service section by section

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

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 30 chapters of Active Service to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

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

Vocabulary met early in Active Service

Words and structures a reader meets early in Active Service, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Marjory: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Active Service; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Walked: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Active Service; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pensively: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Active Service; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Along: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Active Service; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.