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Betty Wales, Senior
Betty Wales, Senior

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Betty Wales, Senior is here in full — 163 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Betty Wales, Senior
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"
Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.
"No, you're not late, dearie," laughed Rachel, pulling Betty's hat straight, "or rather the train is late, too.
Where have you been?"
Betty smiled reminiscently.
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.

Betty Wales, Senior

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Betty Wales, Senior is here in full — 163 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"
Line 2
Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.
Line 3
"No, you're not late, dearie," laughed Rachel, pulling Betty's hat straight, "or rather the train is late, too.
Line 4
Where have you been?"
/wer hæv juː bɪn/
Line 5
Betty smiled reminiscently.

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.

accommodating adjective US /əˈkɑːmədeɪtɪŋ/

helpful in bringing about a harmonious adaptation

From this reading “Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.”

crisp adjective US /krɪsp/

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading “Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.”

fan verb US /fæn/

strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)

From this reading “Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.”

Harding noun US /ˈhɑːrdɪŋ/

29th President of the United States; two of his appointees were involved in the Teapot Dome scandal (1865-1823)

From this reading “Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.”

lingerie noun US /ˈlɑːnʒəreɪ/

women's underwear and nightclothes

From this reading “Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.”

Morrison noun US /ˈmɔːrɪsən/

United States rock singer (1943-1971)

From this reading “"Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"”

vigorously adverb US /ˈvɪɡərəsli/

with vigor; in a vigorous manner

From this reading “Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.”

Wales noun US /weɪlz/

one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; during Roman times the region was known as Cambria

From this reading “Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.”

All words in this reading · 76

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 Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

accommodatingadjectiveUS /əˈkɑːmədeɪtɪŋ/

helpful in bringing about a harmonious adaptation

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

baggage-men

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

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

Betty

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

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

Betty's

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

From this reading "No, you're not late, dearie," laughed Rachel, pulling Betty's hat straight, "or rather the train is late, too.

breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/

not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

busyadjectiveUS /ˈbɪzi/

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

crispadjectiveUS /krɪsp/

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

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 Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/

delicately beautiful

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

dearienoun

a special loved one

From this reading "No, you're not late, dearie," laughed Rachel, pulling Betty's hat straight, "or rather the train is late, too.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

dustverbUS /dʌst/

remove the dust from

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

escapenounUS /ɪˈskeɪp/

the act of escaping physically

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

fanverbUS /fæn/

strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

filmyadjective

so thin as to transmit light

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

flyingadjectiveUS /ˈflaɪɪŋ/

moving swiftly

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"

four-ten

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

From this reading "Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

handkerchiefnounUS /ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf/

a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

HardingnounUS /ˈhɑːrdɪŋ/

29th President of the United States; two of his appointees were involved in the Teapot Dome scandal (1865-1823)

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

hatnounUS /hæt/

headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Where have you been?"

heldadjectiveUS /held/

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

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

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "No, you're not late, dearie," laughed Rachel, pulling Betty's hat straight, "or rather the train is late, too.

lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

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

From this reading "Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"

laughedverbUS /læft/

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading "No, you're not late, dearie," laughed Rachel, pulling Betty's hat straight, "or rather the train is late, too.

lingerienounUS /ˈlɑːnʒəreɪ/

women's underwear and nightclothes

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

MorrisonnounUS /ˈmɔːrɪsən/

United States rock singer (1943-1971)

From this reading "Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"

moveverbUS /muːv/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading "No, you're not late, dearie," laughed Rachel, pulling Betty's hat straight, "or rather the train is late, too.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "No, you're not late, dearie," laughed Rachel, pulling Betty's hat straight, "or rather the train is late, too.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

OhnounUS /oʊ/

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

From this reading "Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

pink-cheeked

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

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

platformnounUS /ˈplætfɔːrm/

a raised horizontal surface

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

pullingnounUS /ˈpʊlɪŋ/

the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you

From this reading "No, you're not late, dearie," laughed Rachel, pulling Betty's hat straight, "or rather the train is late, too.

RachelnounUS /ˈreɪtʃəl/

(Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin

From this reading "Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading "No, you're not late, dearie," laughed Rachel, pulling Betty's hat straight, "or rather the train is late, too.

reminiscentlyadverb

in a reminiscent manner

From this reading Betty smiled reminiscently.

sankverbUS /sæŋk/

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

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/

plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

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

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

smiledverbUS /smaɪld/

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading Betty smiled reminiscently.

stationnounUS /ˈsteɪʃən/

a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/

a clam that is usually steamed in the shell

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

straightadjectiveUS /streɪt/

successive (without a break)

From this reading "No, you're not late, dearie," laughed Rachel, pulling Betty's hat straight, "or rather the train is late, too.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"

trainverbUS /treɪn/

create by training and teaching

From this reading "Oh, Rachel Morrison, am I too late for the four-ten train?"

trunknounUS /trʌŋk/

the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

vigorouslyadverbUS /ˈvɪɡərəsli/

with vigor; in a vigorous manner

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

WalesnounUS /weɪlz/

one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; during Roman times the region was known as Cambria

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

WhereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Where have you been?"

whitenounUS /waɪt/

a Caucasian

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

yellowadjectiveUS /ˈjeloʊ/

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading Betty Wales, pink-cheeked and breathless, her yellow curls flying under her dainty lingerie hat, and her crisp white skirts held high to escape the dust of the station platform, sank down beside Rachel on a steamer trunk that the Harding baggage-men had been too busy or too accommodating to move away, and began to fan herself vigorously with a very small and filmy handkerchief.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Where have you been?"

you're

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

From this reading "No, you're not late, dearie," laughed Rachel, pulling Betty's hat straight, "or rather the train is late, too.

Chapter 1 of Betty Wales, Senior by Edith K. (Edith Kellogg) Dunton holds 163 sentences, grouped into 33 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 1 of Betty Wales, Senior contain?

Chapter 1 holds 163 sentences of Betty Wales, Senior, unabridged, divided into 33 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Betty Wales, Senior by Edith K. (Edith Kellogg) Dunton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 163 sentences, grouped into 33 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 1 of Betty Wales, Senior?

Work through the 33 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 33 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Betty Wales, Senior

Common questions about reading Betty Wales, Senior by Edith K. (Edith Kellogg) Dunton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Betty Wales, Senior?

Yes. All 3998 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #20821 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Betty Wales, Senior is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #20821, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Betty Wales, Senior take to read?

About 333 minutes of reading across 800 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Betty Wales, Senior section by section

How to work through Betty Wales, Senior section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 19 chapters of Betty Wales, Senior 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 Betty Wales, Senior

Words and structures a reader meets early in Betty Wales, Senior, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Rachel
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Betty Wales, Senior; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Morrison
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Betty Wales, Senior; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Four-ten
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Betty Wales, Senior; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Train
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Betty Wales, Senior; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.