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Billy Baxter's Letters
Billy Baxter's Letters

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Billy Baxter's Letters is here in full — 250 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Billy Baxter's Letters
Context Illustration Reading 1/50 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.
Upon "One Night" comment is unnecessary.
A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.
In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.
No names attached to such communications will be published.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Billy Baxter's Letters

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Billy Baxter's Letters is here in full — 250 sentences across 50 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/50 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.
/ˈprefəs ɪn prɪˈzentɪŋ ɪn səˈsaɪəti wiː ɑːr ˈkɑːnfədənt ʌv səkˈses/
Line 2
Upon "One Night" comment is unnecessary.
/əˈpɑːn wʌn naɪt ˈkɑːment ɪz ənˈnesəseri/
Line 3
A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.
Line 4
In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.
Line 5
No names attached to such communications will be published.
/noʊ neɪmz əˈtætʃt tuː sʌtʃ kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃənz wɪl biː ˈpʌblɪʃt/

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.

comment noun US /ˈkɑːment/

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading “Upon "One Night" comment is unnecessary.”

communications noun US /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃənz/

the discipline that studies the principles of transmiting information and the methods by which it is delivered (as print or radio or television etc.)

From this reading “No names attached to such communications will be published.”

confident adjective US /ˈkɑːnfədənt/

having or marked by confidence or assurance

From this reading “Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.”

copies noun US /ˈkɑːpiz/

plural of “copy” — a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading “A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.”

Preface noun US /ˈprefəs/

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading “Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.”

presenting verb US /prɪˈzentɪŋ/

-ing form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading “Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.”

stamps noun US /stæmps/

plural of “stamp” — the distinctive form in which a thing is made

From this reading “In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.”

unnecessary adjective US /ənˈnesəseri/

not necessary

From this reading “Upon "One Night" comment is unnecessary.”

All words in this reading · 54

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.

250,000

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

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

36

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

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.

attachedadjectiveUS /əˈtætʃt/

being joined in close association

From this reading No names attached to such communications will be published.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading No names attached to such communications will be published.

bona

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

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

commentnounUS /ˈkɑːment/

a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading Upon "One Night" comment is unnecessary.

communicationsnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃənz/

the discipline that studies the principles of transmiting information and the methods by which it is delivered (as print or radio or television etc.)

From this reading No names attached to such communications will be published.

confidentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnfədənt/

having or marked by confidence or assurance

From this reading Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.

copiesnounUS /ˈkɑːpiz/

plural of “copy” — a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

demandnounUS /dɪˈmænd/

an urgent or peremptory request

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

fide

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

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.

inclosing

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

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Upon "One Night" comment is unnecessary.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

joinverbUS /dʒɔɪn/

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

lessadverbUS /les/

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

mennounUS /men/

the force of workers available

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

mentionedverbUS /ˈmenʃənd/

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

namesnounUS /neɪmz/

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading No names attached to such communications will be published.

nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

NightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Upon "One Night" comment is unnecessary.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading No names attached to such communications will be published.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Upon "One Night" comment is unnecessary.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

pagenounUS /peɪdʒ/

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

PrefacenounUS /ˈprefəs/

a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

From this reading Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.

presentingverbUS /prɪˈzentɪŋ/

-ing form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.

publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading No names attached to such communications will be published.

readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

SocietynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.

speaksverbUS /spiːks/

third-person singular of “speak” — express in speech

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

stampsnounUS /stæmps/

plural of “stamp” — the distinctive form in which a thing is made

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

statenounUS /steɪt/

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

successnounUS /səkˈses/

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading No names attached to such communications will be published.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

threenounUS /θriː/

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

From this reading A bona fide demand for nearly 250,000 copies in less than three months speaks for itself.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading No names attached to such communications will be published.

UnionnounUS /ˈjuːnjən/

an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

unnecessaryadjectiveUS /ənˈnesəseri/

not necessary

From this reading Upon "One Night" comment is unnecessary.

UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Upon "One Night" comment is unnecessary.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Preface In presenting "In Society," we are confident of success.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading In inclosing stamps for books, our men readers who will join the "Union" mentioned on page 36 will so state.

Chapter 2 of Billy Baxter's Letters by William J. Kountz holds 250 sentences, grouped into 50 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 2 of Billy Baxter's Letters contain?

Chapter 2 holds 250 sentences of Billy Baxter's Letters, unabridged, divided into 50 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Billy Baxter's Letters by William J. Kountz exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 250 sentences, grouped into 50 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 2 of Billy Baxter's Letters?

Work through the 50 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 50 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Billy Baxter's Letters

Common questions about reading Billy Baxter's Letters by William J. Kountz on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Billy Baxter's Letters?

Yes. All 641 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1920 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Billy Baxter's Letters is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1920, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Billy Baxter's Letters take to read?

About 53 minutes of reading across 129 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Billy Baxter's Letters section by section

How to work through Billy Baxter's Letters section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 3 chapters of Billy Baxter's Letters 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 Billy Baxter's Letters

Words and structures a reader meets early in Billy Baxter's Letters, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

William
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Billy Baxter's Letters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Kountz
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Billy Baxter's Letters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Contents
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Billy Baxter's Letters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Preface
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Billy Baxter's Letters; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.