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An Alabaster Box
An Alabaster Box

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of An Alabaster Box is here in full — 398 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for An Alabaster Box
Context Illustration Reading 1/79 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?
Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin in, for one, an upstairs there’s that ol fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets n pillow slips.
You don’t s’pose she’d want that, do you?”
Mrs. Daggett sank down in a chair opposite her husband, her large pink and white face damp with moisture.
Above her forehead a mist of airy curls fluttered in the warm breeze from the open window.
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.

An Alabaster Box

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of An Alabaster Box is here in full — 398 sentences across 80 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/79 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?
Line 2
Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three othem things right in this house: that chair you’re settinin, for one, anupstairs there’s that olfashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheetsnpillow slips.
Line 3
You don’t s’pose she’d want that, do you?”
Line 4
Mrs. Daggett sank down in a chair opposite her husband, her large pink and white face damp with moisture.
Line 5
Above her forehead a mist of airy curls fluttered in the warm breeze from the open window.
/əˈbʌv hɜːr ˈfɔːrhed ə mɪst ʌv ˈeri kɜːrlz ˈflʌtərd ɪn ðə wɔːrm briːz frʌm ðə ˈoʊ.pən ˈwɪndoʊ/

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.

browned adjective US /braʊnd/

(of skin) deeply suntanned

From this reading ““Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?”

deluge noun US /ˈdeljuːdʒ/

an overwhelming number or amount

From this reading ““Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?”

maple noun US /ˈmeɪpəl/

wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading ““Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?”

moisture noun US /ˈmɔɪstʃər/

wetness caused by water

From this reading “Mrs. Daggett sank down in a chair opposite her husband, her large pink and white face damp with moisture.”

pancakes noun US /ˈpænkeɪks/

plural of “pancake” — a flat cake of thin batter fried on both sides on a griddle

From this reading ““Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?”

slips noun US /slɪps/

plural of “slip” — a socially awkward or tactless act

From this reading “’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.”

smilingly adverb US /ˈsmaɪlɪŋli/

with smiles; in a smiling manner

From this reading ““Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?”

syrup noun US /ˈsɜːrəp/

a thick sweet sticky liquid

From this reading ““Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?”

All words in this reading · 97

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 “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Above her forehead a mist of airy curls fluttered in the warm breeze from the open window.

airyadjectiveUS /ˈeri/

open to or abounding in fresh air

From this reading Above her forehead a mist of airy curls fluttered in the warm breeze from the open window.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

breezenounUS /briːz/

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading Above her forehead a mist of airy curls fluttered in the warm breeze from the open window.

brownnounUS /braʊn/

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

brownedadjectiveUS /braʊnd/

(of skin) deeply suntanned

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

bureaunounUS /ˈbjʊroʊ/

an administrative unit of government

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

butternounUS /ˈbʌtər/

an edible emulsion of fat globules made by churning milk or cream; for cooking and table use

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

CausenounUS /kɑːz/

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

chairnounUS /tʃer/

a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

curlsnounUS /kɜːrlz/

plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)

From this reading Above her forehead a mist of airy curls fluttered in the warm breeze from the open window.

Daggett

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

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/

slightly wet

From this reading Mrs. Daggett sank down in a chair opposite her husband, her large pink and white face damp with moisture.

delugenounUS /ˈdeljuːdʒ/

an overwhelming number or amount

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading You don’t s’pose she’d want that, do you?”

don't

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

From this reading You don’t s’pose she’d want that, do you?”

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Mrs. Daggett sank down in a chair opposite her husband, her large pink and white face damp with moisture.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Mrs. Daggett sank down in a chair opposite her husband, her large pink and white face damp with moisture.

fashionedadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənd/

planned and made or fashioned artistically

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

flutteredverbUS /ˈflʌtərd/

past form of “flutter” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading Above her forehead a mist of airy curls fluttered in the warm breeze from the open window.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

foreheadnounUS /ˈfɔːrhed/

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading Above her forehead a mist of airy curls fluttered in the warm breeze from the open window.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Above her forehead a mist of airy curls fluttered in the warm breeze from the open window.

furniturenounUS /ˈfɜːrnɪtʃər/

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

HenrynounUS /ˈhenri/

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

housenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

husbandnounUS /ˈhʌzbənd/

a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

keepverbUS /kiːp/

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Mrs. Daggett sank down in a chair opposite her husband, her large pink and white face damp with moisture.

maplenounUS /ˈmeɪpəl/

wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

mistverbUS /mɪst/

become covered with mist

From this reading Above her forehead a mist of airy curls fluttered in the warm breeze from the open window.

moisturenounUS /ˈmɔɪstʃər/

wetness caused by water

From this reading Mrs. Daggett sank down in a chair opposite her husband, her large pink and white face damp with moisture.

MrsnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

nnounUS /en/

a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

NowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

onounUS /oʊ/

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

ol

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

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Above her forehead a mist of airy curls fluttered in the warm breeze from the open window.

oppositeadjectiveUS /ˈɑːpəzət/

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading Mrs. Daggett sank down in a chair opposite her husband, her large pink and white face damp with moisture.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

pancakesnounUS /ˈpænkeɪks/

plural of “pancake” — a flat cake of thin batter fried on both sides on a griddle

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

perfectlyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrfəktli/

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/

a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

pinknounUS /pɪŋk/

a light shade of red

From this reading Mrs. Daggett sank down in a chair opposite her husband, her large pink and white face damp with moisture.

platenounUS /pleɪt/

(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

proceededverbUS /prəˈsiːdɪd/

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

rightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

s'pose

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

From this reading You don’t s’pose she’d want that, do you?”

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

sankverbUS /sæŋk/

inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading Mrs. Daggett sank down in a chair opposite her husband, her large pink and white face damp with moisture.

setverbUS /set/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

settin

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

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

she'd

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

From this reading You don’t s’pose she’d want that, do you?”

sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/

plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

slipsnounUS /slɪps/

plural of “slip” — a socially awkward or tactless act

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

smilinglyadverbUS /ˈsmaɪlɪŋli/

with smiles; in a smiling manner

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

syrupnounUS /ˈsɜːrəp/

a thick sweet sticky liquid

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

that's

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

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

there's

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

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

threenounUS /θriː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

upstairsadverbUS /əpˈsterz/

on a floor above

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading You don’t s’pose she’d want that, do you?”

warmadjectiveUS /wɔːrm/

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading Above her forehead a mist of airy curls fluttered in the warm breeze from the open window.

we've

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

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

whitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading Mrs. Daggett sank down in a chair opposite her husband, her large pink and white face damp with moisture.

windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading Above her forehead a mist of airy curls fluttered in the warm breeze from the open window.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Now, Henry,” said Mrs. Daggett, as she smilingly set a plate of perfectly browned pancakes before her husband, which he proceeded to deluge with butter and maple syrup, “are you sure that’s _so_, about the furniture?

you're

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

From this reading ’Cause if it is, we’ve got two or three o’ them things right in this house: that chair you’re settin’ in, for one, an’ upstairs there’s that ol’ fashioned brown bureau, where I keep the sheets ’n’ pillow slips.

Chapter 8 of An Alabaster Box by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman holds 398 sentences, grouped into 80 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 An Alabaster Box contain?

Chapter 8 holds 398 sentences of An Alabaster Box, unabridged, divided into 80 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of An Alabaster Box by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 398 sentences, grouped into 80 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 An Alabaster Box?

Work through the 80 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 80 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 An Alabaster Box

Common questions about reading An Alabaster Box by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of An Alabaster Box?

Yes. All 5058 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #18140 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of An Alabaster Box is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #18140, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does An Alabaster Box take to read?

About 421 minutes of reading across 1012 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read An Alabaster Box section by section

How to work through An Alabaster Box section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 28 chapters of An Alabaster Box 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 An Alabaster Box

Words and structures a reader meets early in An Alabaster Box, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Church
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Alabaster Box; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Purely
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Alabaster Box; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Feminine
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Alabaster Box; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Functions
A word that appears in the opening chapter of An Alabaster Box; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.