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By What Authority?
By What Authority?

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of By What Authority? is here in full — 184 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for By What Authority?
Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.
He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.
He was a good-hearted and wholesome-minded boy, and left a real ache behind him in the Dower House.
Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.
They had never been long separated before.
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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.

By What Authority?

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of By What Authority? is here in full — 184 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.
/ˈænθəni ˈnɔːrɪs huː wɑːz naʊ əˈbaʊt ˈfɔːrˈtiːn went ʌp tuː kɪŋz ˈkɑːlɪdʒ ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ ɪn ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
Line 2
He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.
Line 3
He was a good-hearted and wholesome-minded boy, and left a real ache behind him in the Dower House.
Line 4
Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.
Line 5
They had never been long separated before.
/ðeɪ hæd ˈnevər bɪn lɔːŋ ˈsepəreɪtɪd bɪˈfɔːr/

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.

closeted verb US /ˈklɑːzətɪd/

past form of “closet” — confine to a small space, as for intensive work

From this reading “He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.”

curving adjective US /ˈkɜːrvɪŋ/

having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend

From this reading “He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.”

Dower noun US /daʊr/

money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage

From this reading “He was a good-hearted and wholesome-minded boy, and left a real ache behind him in the Dower House.”

exhortation noun US /ˌeɡzɔːrˈteɪʃən/

a communication intended to urge or persuade the recipients to take some action

From this reading “He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.”

falcons noun US /ˈfælkənz/

plural of “falcon” — diurnal birds of prey having long pointed powerful wings adapted for swift flight

From this reading “He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.”

feathered adjective US /ˈfeðərd/

adorned with feathers or plumes

From this reading “Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.”

latching verb US /ˈlætʃɪŋ/

-ing form of “latch” — fasten with a latch

From this reading “Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.”

Norris noun US /ˈnɔːrɪs/

United States writer (1870-1902)

From this reading “Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.”

All words in this reading · 101

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 He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

acheverbUS /eɪk/

feel physical pain

From this reading He was a good-hearted and wholesome-minded boy, and left a real ache behind him in the Dower House.

advicenounUS /ædˈvaɪs/

a proposal for an appropriate course of action

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

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

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

AnthonynounUS /ˈænθəni/

Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

bednounUS /bed/

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading They had never been long separated before.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading He was a good-hearted and wholesome-minded boy, and left a real ache behind him in the Dower House.

boynounUS /bɔɪ/

a youthful male person

From this reading He was a good-hearted and wholesome-minded boy, and left a real ache behind him in the Dower House.

broken-hearted

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

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

CambridgenounUS /ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ/

a university in England

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

capnounUS /kæp/

a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

closetedverbUS /ˈklɑːzətɪd/

past form of “closet” — confine to a small space, as for intensive work

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

CollegenounUS /ˈkɑːlɪdʒ/

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

curvingadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrvɪŋ/

having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

disappearverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/

get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

DowernounUS /daʊr/

money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage

From this reading He was a good-hearted and wholesome-minded boy, and left a real ache behind him in the Dower House.

driveverbUS /draɪv/

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

exhortationnounUS /ˌeɡzɔːrˈteɪʃən/

a communication intended to urge or persuade the recipients to take some action

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

falconsnounUS /ˈfælkənz/

plural of “falcon” — diurnal birds of prey having long pointed powerful wings adapted for swift flight

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

featheredadjectiveUS /ˈfeðərd/

adorned with feathers or plumes

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

fourteennounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/

the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

gatenounUS /ɡeɪt/

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

good-byenounUS /ɡɪdˈbaɪ/

a farewell remark

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

good-heartedadjective

showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity

From this reading He was a good-hearted and wholesome-minded boy, and left a real ache behind him in the Dower House.

greennounUS /ɡriːn/

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

hallnounUS /hɔːl/

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

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

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

horsenounUS /hɔːrs/

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

HousenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading He was a good-hearted and wholesome-minded boy, and left a real ache behind him in the Dower House.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

Isabel

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

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

King'snounUS /kɪŋz/

possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

latchingverbUS /ˈlætʃɪŋ/

-ing form of “latch” — fasten with a latch

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

lednounUS /led/

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading They had never been long separated before.

nightnounUS /naɪt/

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

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

NorrisnounUS /ˈnɔːrɪs/

United States writer (1870-1902)

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/

the month following September and preceding November

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

packhorsenoun

a workhorse used as a pack animal

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

ranverbUS /ræn/

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

realadjectiveUS /riːl/

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading He was a good-hearted and wholesome-minded boy, and left a real ache behind him in the Dower House.

receivedadjectiveUS /rəˈsiːvd/

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

religiousadjectiveUS /rɪˈlɪdʒəs/

concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

rodeverbUS /roʊd/

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

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

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

roundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

saddleverbUS /ˈsædəl/

put a saddle on

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

separatedadjectiveUS /ˈsepəreɪtɪd/

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading They had never been long separated before.

servantnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənt/

a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

shuttingnounUS /ˈʃʌtɪŋ/

the act of closing something

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

sobbedverbUS /sɑːbd/

inflected form of “sob” — weep convulsively

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

soundnounUS /saʊnd/

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/

past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

swayedverbUS /sweɪd/

past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They had never been long separated before.

threwverbUS /θruː/

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

trotverbUS /trɑːt/

run at a moderately swift pace

From this reading Isabel indeed ran up to his room, after she had seen his feathered cap disappear at a trot through the gate, leaving her father in the hall; and after shutting and latching the door, threw herself on his bed, and sobbed her heart out.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

villagenounUS /ˈvɪlədʒ/

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Anthony Norris, who was now about fourteen, went up to King's College, Cambridge, in October.

wholesome-minded

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

From this reading He was a good-hearted and wholesome-minded boy, and left a real ache behind him in the Dower House.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was closeted long with his father the night before he left, and received from him much sound religious advice and exhortation; and in the morning, after an almost broken-hearted good-bye from Isabel, he rode out with his servant following on another horse and leading a packhorse on the saddle of which the falcons swayed and staggered, and up the curving drive that led round into the village green.

Chapter 1 of By What Authority? by Robert Hugh Benson holds 184 sentences, grouped into 37 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of By What Authority? contain?

Chapter 1 holds 184 sentences of By What Authority?, unabridged, divided into 37 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of By What Authority? by Robert Hugh Benson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 184 sentences, grouped into 37 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of By What Authority??

Work through the 37 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 37 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

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

Questions about reading By What Authority?

Common questions about reading By What Authority? by Robert Hugh Benson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of By What Authority??

Yes. All 8425 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #19697 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of By What Authority? is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #19697, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does By What Authority? take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1685 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read By What Authority? section by section

How to work through By What Authority? section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of By What Authority? 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 By What Authority?

Words and structures a reader meets early in By What Authority?, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Anthony
A word that appears in the opening chapter of By What Authority?; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Norris
A word that appears in the opening chapter of By What Authority?; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fourteen
A word that appears in the opening chapter of By What Authority?; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
King's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of By What Authority?; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.