Carnac's Folly, Volume 3.

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3. is here in full — 146 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Gilbert Parker • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Carnac's Folly, Volume 3.

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

TARBOE HAS A DREAM The day Carnac was elected it was clear to Tarboe that he must win Junia at once, if he was ever to do so, for Carnac's new honours would play a great part in influencing her.

In his mind, it was now or never for himself; he must bring affairs to a crisis.

Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

Narrator

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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.

Chapter XII Reading 1/29

Carnac's Folly, Volume 3. Gilbert Parker

Chapter XII

Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3. is here in full — 146 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

TARBOE HAS A DREAM The day Carnac was elected it was clear to Tarboe that he must win Junia at once, if he was ever to do so, for Carnac's new honours would play a great part in influencing her. In his mind, it was now or never for himself; he must bring affairs to a crisis. Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres. The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit. Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

Carnac's Folly, Volume 3.

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3. is here in full — 146 sentences across 30 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

TARBOE HAS A DREAM The day Carnac was elected it was clear to Tarboe that he must win Junia at once, if he was ever to do so, for Carnac's new honours would play a great part in influencing her.

Line 2

In his mind, it was now or never for himself; he must bring affairs to a crisis.

/ɪn hɪz maɪnd ɪt wɑːz naʊ ɔːr ˈnevər fɔːr hɪmˈself hiː mʌst brɪŋ əˈferz tuː ə ˈkraɪsəs/

Line 3

Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

Line 4

The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

Line 5

Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

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.

crisis noun US /ˈkraɪsəs/

an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty

From this reading “In his mind, it was now or never for himself; he must bring affairs to a crisis.”

drawings noun US /ˈdrɔːɪŋz/

plural of “drawing” — an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading “The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.”

elected adjective US /ɪˈlektəd/

subject to popular election

From this reading “TARBOE HAS A DREAM The day Carnac was elected it was clear to Tarboe that he must win Junia at once, if he was ever to do so, for Carnac's new honours would play a great part in influencing her.”

engravings noun US /ɪnˈɡreɪvɪŋz/

plural of “engraving” — a print made from an engraving

From this reading “The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.”

influencing verb US /ˈɪnfluːənsɪŋ/

-ing form of “influence” — have and exert influence or effect

lounge verb US /laʊndʒ/

sit or recline comfortably

From this reading “Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.”

parlour noun US /ˈpɑːrlər/

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading “Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.”

spheres noun US /sfɪrz/

plural of “sphere” — a particular environment or walk of life

From this reading “Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.”

All words in this reading · 88

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 TARBOE HAS A DREAM The day Carnac was elected it was clear to Tarboe that he must win Junia at once, if he was ever to do so, for Carnac's new honours would play a great part in influencing her.

affairsnounUS /əˈferz/

matters of personal concern

From this reading In his mind, it was now or never for himself; he must bring affairs to a crisis.

airnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

belongingnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋ/

happiness felt in a secure relationship

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

bringverbUS /brɪŋ/

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading In his mind, it was now or never for himself; he must bring affairs to a crisis.

brownnounUS /braʊn/

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

Carnac

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

Carnac's

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

chairsnounUS /tʃerz/

plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back

From this reading Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

Chintznoun

a brightly printed and glazed cotton fabric

From this reading Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

chintz-covered

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

From this reading Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

clearverbUS /klɪr/

rid of obstructions

comfortnounUS /ˈkʌmfərt/

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/

a place off to the side of an area

From this reading Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

coververbUS /ˈkʌvər/

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

crisisnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/

an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty

From this reading In his mind, it was now or never for himself; he must bring affairs to a crisis.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

drawingsnounUS /ˈdrɔːɪŋz/

plural of “drawing” — an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

DREAMnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

electedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektəd/

subject to popular election

engravingsnounUS /ɪnˈɡreɪvɪŋz/

plural of “engraving” — a print made from an engraving

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/

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

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

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

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

girlnounUS /ɡɜːrl/

a young female

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

HASauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading In his mind, it was now or never for himself; he must bring affairs to a crisis.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading In his mind, it was now or never for himself; he must bring affairs to a crisis.

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

honoursnoun

a university degree with honors

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

influencingverbUS /ˈɪnfluːənsɪŋ/

-ing form of “influence” — have and exert influence or effect

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

Junia

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

Junia's

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

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

largeradjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒər/

large or big relative to something else

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

loungeverbUS /laʊndʒ/

sit or recline comfortably

From this reading Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

meritnounUS /ˈmerət/

any admirable quality or attribute

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading In his mind, it was now or never for himself; he must bring affairs to a crisis.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading In his mind, it was now or never for himself; he must bring affairs to a crisis.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading In his mind, it was now or never for himself; he must bring affairs to a crisis.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In his mind, it was now or never for himself; he must bring affairs to a crisis.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/

reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

From this reading Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

playverbUS /pleɪ/

participate in games or sport

pooradjectiveUS /puːr/

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

readverbUS /red/

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

spheresnounUS /sfɪrz/

plural of “sphere” — a particular environment or walk of life

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

TARBOE

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

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Junia's father was poor, but the girl had given their home an air of comfort and an art belonging to larger spheres.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/

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

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

water-colournoun

water-soluble pigment

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

winverbUS /wɪn/

be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious

windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Chintz was the cover on windows and easy chairs, and in a corner of the parlour was a chintz-covered lounge where she read of an evening.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The walls were covered with brown paper, and on it were a few of her own water-colour drawings, and a few old engravings of merit.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

Chapter 12 of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3. by Gilbert Parker holds 146 sentences, grouped into 30 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 12 of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3. contain?

Chapter 12 holds 146 sentences of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3., unabridged, divided into 30 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3. by Gilbert Parker exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 146 sentences, grouped into 30 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 12 of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3.?

Work through the 30 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 30 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 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 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 Carnac's Folly, Volume 3.

Common questions about reading Carnac's Folly, Volume 3. by Gilbert Parker on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3.?

Yes. All 2138 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #6298 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3. is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #6298, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Carnac's Folly, Volume 3. take to read?

About 178 minutes of reading across 428 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Carnac's Folly, Volume 3. section by section

How to work through Carnac's Folly, Volume 3. section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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Vocabulary met early in Carnac's Folly, Volume 3.

Words and structures a reader meets early in Carnac's Folly, Volume 3., each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Night: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3.; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Carnac: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3.; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mapped: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3.; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Course: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Carnac's Folly, Volume 3.; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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Vocabulary met early in Carnac's Folly, Volume 3.