Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Boyhood in Norway
Boyhood in Norway

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of Boyhood in Norway is here in full — 170 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Boyhood in Norway
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.
The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.
It might be foolish, but it was on that account none the less delightful.
They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.
They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.
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.

Boyhood in Norway

Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

Chapter 8 of Boyhood in Norway is here in full — 170 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.
Line 2
The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.
Line 3
It might be foolish, but it was on that account none the less delightful.
Line 4
They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.
Line 5
They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.

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.

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.”

All words in this reading · 86

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.

a

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

account

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

From this reading It might be foolish, but it was on that account none the less delightful.

all

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

an

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

and

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

appalling

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

From this reading They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.

approach

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

awful

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

From this reading They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.

be

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

From this reading It might be foolish, but it was on that account none the less delightful.

blood-curdling

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

From this reading They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.

boys

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

but

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

by

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

character

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

From this reading They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.

daring

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

delicious

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

From this reading They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.

delightful

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

From this reading It might be foolish, but it was on that account none the less delightful.

did

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

each

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

From this reading They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.

enemy

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

enjoyed

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

everything

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

expedition

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

eye

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

fact

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

file

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

foolish

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

From this reading It might be foolish, but it was on that account none the less delightful.

For

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

foraging

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

had

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

hammer

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

high

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

hour

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

hugely

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

imaginary

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

imparted

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

in

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

into

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

It

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

From this reading It might be foolish, but it was on that account none the less delightful.

its

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

From this reading They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.

kingdom

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

less

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

From this reading It might be foolish, but it was on that account none the less delightful.

mere

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

might

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

From this reading It might be foolish, but it was on that account none the less delightful.

more

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

mountain-paths

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

neighboring

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

none

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

From this reading It might be foolish, but it was on that account none the less delightful.

nonsense

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

From this reading They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.

Odin's

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

of

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

on

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

or

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

other

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

From this reading They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.

out

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

pass-words

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

procession

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

rode

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

rugged

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

said

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

scouts

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

sent

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

sentiment

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

From this reading They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.

signs

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

single

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

spirits

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

steep

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

style

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

swore

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

talked

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

From this reading They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.

that

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

the

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

themselves

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

they

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

Thor's

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

to

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

up

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

Viking

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

Vikings

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

was

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

From this reading It might be foolish, but it was on that account none the less delightful.

watch

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

From this reading They sent out scouts to watch for the approach of an imaginary enemy; they had secret pass-words and signs; they swore (Viking style) by Thor’s hammer and by Odin’s eye.

were

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

From this reading For an hour or more the procession rode, single file, up the steep and rugged mountain-paths; but the boys were all in high spirits and enjoyed themselves hugely.

with

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

From this reading They talked appalling nonsense to each other with a delicious sentiment of its awful blood-curdling character.

wonderful

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

zest

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

From this reading The mere fact that they were Vikings, on a daring foraging expedition into a neighboring kingdom, imparted a wonderful zest to everything they did and said.

Chapter 8 of Boyhood in Norway by Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen holds 170 sentences, grouped into 34 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 8 of Boyhood in Norway contain?

Chapter 8 holds 170 sentences of Boyhood in Norway, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 8 of Boyhood in Norway by Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 170 sentences, grouped into 34 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 8 of Boyhood in Norway?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 8 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 8 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Boyhood in Norway

Common questions about reading Boyhood in Norway by Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Boyhood in Norway?

Yes. All 2545 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #784 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Boyhood in Norway is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #784, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Boyhood in Norway take to read?

About 212 minutes of reading across 509 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Boyhood in Norway section by section

How to work through Boyhood in Norway section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 16 chapters of Boyhood in Norway 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 Boyhood in Norway

Words and structures a reader meets early in Boyhood in Norway, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Stories
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Boyhood in Norway; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Boy-life
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Boyhood in Norway; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Midnight
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Boyhood in Norway; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Deadly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Boyhood in Norway; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.