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Blake's Burden
Blake's Burden

Chapter XV · Chapter 15

Chapter 15 of Blake's Burden is here in full — 176 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Blake's Burden
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MRS.
CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.
The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.
He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.
A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.
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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.

Blake's Burden

Chapter XV · Chapter 15

Chapter 15 of Blake's Burden is here in full — 176 sentences across 36 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MRS.
/ˈmɪsɪz/
Line 2
CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.
Line 3
The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.
Line 4
He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.
Line 5
A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.
/ə ˈhæksɔː ə fjuː faɪlz ə ˈwaɪər brʌʃ ənd ə ˈbɑːtəl ʌv ræŋˈɡuːn ɔɪl wɜːr spred aʊt ɪn frʌnt ʌv hɪm ðə ˈlætər ˈstændɪŋ fɔːr ðə seɪk ʌv ˈklenlinɪs ɑːn ðə ˈkʌvər ʌv ðə fiːld/

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.

agriculture noun US /ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/

a large-scale farming enterprise

From this reading “The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.”

blustering adjective US /ˈblʌstərɪŋ/

blowing in violent and abrupt bursts

From this reading “CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.”

clamped verb US /klæmpt/

past form of “clamp” — fasten or fix with a clamp

From this reading “The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.”

commodious adjective US /kəˈmoʊdiəs/

large and roomy (“convenient” is archaic in this sense)

From this reading “He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.”

hacksaw noun US /ˈhæksɔː/

saw used with one hand for cutting metal

From this reading “A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.”

racks noun US /ræks/

plural of “rack” — framework for holding objects

From this reading “The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.”

Rangoon noun US /ræŋˈɡuːn/

the capital and largest city of Myanmar; located in the south near the Irrawaddy river delta

From this reading “A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.”

stripping noun US /ˈstrɪpɪŋ/

the removal of covering

From this reading “CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.”

All words in this reading · 106

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 CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

agriculturenounUS /ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/

a large-scale farming enterprise

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

blusteringadjectiveUS /ˈblʌstərɪŋ/

blowing in violent and abrupt bursts

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

bottlenounUS /ˈbɑːtəl/

a glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or other liquids; typically cylindrical without handles and with a narrow neck that can be plugged or capped

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

BritishnounUS /ˈbrɪtɪʃ/

the people of Great Britain

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

brushverbUS /brʌʃ/

rub with a brush, or as if with a brush

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

CHUDLEIGH

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

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

clampedverbUS /klæmpt/

past form of “clamp” — fasten or fix with a clamp

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

cleanlinessnounUS /ˈklenlinɪs/

the habit of keeping free of superficial imperfections

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

CLUEnounUS /kluː/

a slight indication

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

commodiousadjectiveUS /kəˈmoʊdiəs/

large and roomy (“convenient” is archaic in this sense)

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

containedadjectiveUS /kənˈteɪnd/

gotten under control

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

coververbUS /ˈkʌvər/

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

darknounUS /dɑːrk/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

drovenounUS /droʊv/

a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

edgenounUS /edʒ/

the boundary of a surface

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

favouritenounUS /ˈfeɪvərɪt/

a competitor thought likely to win

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

FieldnounUS /fiːld/

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

filesnounUS /faɪlz/

plural of “file” — a set of related records (either written or electronic) kept together

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

FINDSnounUS /faɪndz/

plural of “find” — a productive insight

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

fishingnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/

the act of someone who fishes as a diversion

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

FosterverbUS /ˈfɑːstər/

promote the growth of

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

frontnounUS /frʌnt/

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

guestsnounUS /ɡests/

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

gunnounUS /ɡʌn/

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

gunroom

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

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

gunsnounUS /ɡʌnz/

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

hacksawnounUS /ˈhæksɔː/

saw used with one hand for cutting metal

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

handsomeadjectiveUS /ˈhænsəm/

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

Hazlehurst

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

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

historynounUS /ˈhɪstəri/

the aggregate of past events

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

horse-breeding

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

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

latteradjectiveUS /ˈlætər/

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

lockverbUS /lɑːk/

fasten with a lock

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

MRSnounUS /ˈmɪsɪz/

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading MRS.

naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

numerousadjectiveUS /ˈnuːmərəs/

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

oilnounUS /ɔɪl/

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

panelled

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

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

pressurenounUS /ˈpreʃər/

the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

privateadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪvət/

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

racksnounUS /ræks/

plural of “rack” — framework for holding objects

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

rainnounUS /reɪn/

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

RangoonnounUS /ræŋˈɡuːn/

the capital and largest city of Myanmar; located in the south near the Irrawaddy river delta

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

retreatnounUS /riˈtriːt/

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

rodsnounUS /rɑːdz/

plural of “rod” — a long thin implement made of metal or wood

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

sakenounUS /seɪk/

a reason for wanting something done

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

satnounUS /sæt/

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

seatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/

Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

Shropshire

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

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

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

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

spreadverbUS /spred/

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/

having a supporting base

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

strippingnounUS /ˈstrɪpɪŋ/

the removal of covering

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

studynounUS /ˈstʌdi/

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

tablenounUS /ˈteɪbəl/

a set of data arranged in rows and columns

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

ThomasnounUS /ˈtɑːməs/

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

usenounUS /juːs/

the act of using

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

vicenounUS /vaɪs/

moral weakness

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

wifenounUS /waɪf/

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading He had once had a commodious gunroom, but had given it up, under pressure from his wife, who thought she could make a better use of it, since Hazlehurst was small and she had numerous guests, but the study was his private retreat.

windnounUS /waɪnd/

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading CHUDLEIGH FINDS A CLUE On a dark November morning when a blustering wind drove the rain against the windows Thomas Foster sat stripping the lock of a favourite gun in the room he called his study at Hazlehurst in Shropshire.

wirenounUS /ˈwaɪər/

ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc

From this reading A hacksaw, a few files, a wire brush, and a bottle of Rangoon oil were spread out in front of him, the latter standing, for the sake of cleanliness, on the cover of the _Field_.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

worksnounUS /wɜːrks/

buildings for carrying on industrial labor

From this reading The shelves on the handsome panelled walls contained a few works on agriculture, horse-breeding, and British natural history, but two racks were filled with guns and fishing rods and the table Foster was seated at had a vice clamped to its edge.

Chapter 15 of Blake's Burden by Harold Bindloss holds 176 sentences, grouped into 36 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 15 of Blake's Burden contain?

Chapter 15 holds 176 sentences of Blake's Burden, unabridged, divided into 36 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 15 of Blake's Burden by Harold Bindloss exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 176 sentences, grouped into 36 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 15 of Blake's Burden?

Work through the 36 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 36 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 15 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 15 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 Blake's Burden

Common questions about reading Blake's Burden by Harold Bindloss on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Blake's Burden?

Yes. All 5536 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #29155 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Blake's Burden is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #29155, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Blake's Burden take to read?

About 461 minutes of reading across 1108 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Blake's Burden section by section

How to work through Blake's Burden section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 31 chapters of Blake's Burden 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 Blake's Burden

Words and structures a reader meets early in Blake's Burden, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Blake's Burden; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Impostor
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Blake's Burden; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Hawtrey's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Blake's Burden; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Deputy
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Blake's Burden; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.