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Bowser the Hound
Bowser the Hound

Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

Chapter 25 of Bowser the Hound is here in full — 31 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Bowser the Hound
Context Illustration Reading 1/6 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.
_Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.
His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil.
He is crafty, is Blacky.
But these same things are true of Reddy Fox.
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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.

Bowser the Hound

Chapter XXV · Chapter 25

Chapter 25 of Bowser the Hound is here in full — 31 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/6 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.
Line 2
_Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.
Line 3
His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil.
/hɪz tʌŋ ɪz soʊ smuːð ðæt ɪt ɪz ə ˈwʌndər ɪt dʌz nɑːt drɪp ɔɪl/
Line 4
He is crafty, is Blacky.
Line 5
But these same things are true of Reddy Fox.

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.

crafty adjective US /ˈkræfti/

marked by skill in deception

From this reading “He is crafty, is Blacky.”

Crow verb US /kroʊ/

dwell on with satisfaction

From this reading “RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.”

drip verb US /drɪp/

fall in drops

From this reading “His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil.”

fools noun US /fuːlz/

plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment

From this reading “RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.”

Hound noun US /haʊnd/

any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears

From this reading “_Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.”

Meadows noun US /ˈmedoʊz/

plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading “_Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.”

thereby adverb US /ˈðerˈbaɪ/

by that means or because of that

From this reading “_Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.”

wits noun US /wɪts/

the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception

From this reading “RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.”

All words in this reading · 60

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 RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading But these same things are true of Reddy Fox.

BLACKadjectiveUS /blæk/

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

Blacky

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

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

Bowser

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

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But these same things are true of Reddy Fox.

craftyadjectiveUS /ˈkræfti/

marked by skill in deception

From this reading He is crafty, is Blacky.

CrowverbUS /kroʊ/

dwell on with satisfaction

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil.

dripverbUS /drɪp/

fall in drops

From this reading His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil.

factnounUS /fækt/

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

flatterernoun

a person who uses flattery

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

foolsnounUS /fuːlz/

plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

ForestnounUS /ˈfɔːrəst/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

FoxnounUS /fɑːks/

alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs

From this reading But these same things are true of Reddy Fox.

gainverbUS /ɡeɪn/

obtain

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

GreennounUS /ɡriːn/

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

He's

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

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil.

hopesnounUS /hoʊps/

plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

HoundnounUS /haʊnd/

any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil.

MeadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/

plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

oilnounUS /ɔɪl/

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

From this reading His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

quickadjectiveUS /kwɪk/

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

REDnounUS /red/

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

Reddy

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

From this reading But these same things are true of Reddy Fox.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading But these same things are true of Reddy Fox.

smoothadjectiveUS /smuːð/

having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

From this reading His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

therebyadverbUS /ˈðerˈbaɪ/

by that means or because of that

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading But these same things are true of Reddy Fox.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading But these same things are true of Reddy Fox.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

tonguenounUS /tʌŋ/

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

From this reading His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil.

trueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading But these same things are true of Reddy Fox.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading _Bowser the Hound._ There is no greater flatterer in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows than Blacky the Crow when he hopes to gain something thereby.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

witnounUS /wɪt/

a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

WITSnounUS /wɪts/

the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading His tongue is so smooth that it is a wonder it does not drip oil.

you'll

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

From this reading RED WITS AND BLACK WITS This fact you'll find is always so: He's quick of wit who fools a Crow.

Chapter 25 of Bowser the Hound by Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo) Burgess holds 31 sentences, grouped into 7 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 25 of Bowser the Hound contain?

Chapter 25 holds 31 sentences of Bowser the Hound, unabridged, divided into 7 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 25 of Bowser the Hound by Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo) Burgess exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 31 sentences, grouped into 7 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 25 of Bowser the Hound?

Work through the 7 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 7 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 25 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 25 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 Bowser the Hound

Common questions about reading Bowser the Hound by Thornton W. (Thornton Waldo) Burgess on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Bowser the Hound?

Yes. All 1376 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #15168 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Bowser the Hound is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #15168, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Bowser the Hound take to read?

About 114 minutes of reading across 276 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Bowser the Hound section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of Bowser the Hound 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 Bowser the Hound

Words and structures a reader meets early in Bowser the Hound, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Though
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Bowser the Hound; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Great
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Bowser the Hound; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Small
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Bowser the Hound; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Matter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Bowser the Hound; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.