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Christmas with Grandma Elsie
Christmas with Grandma Elsie

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Christmas with Grandma Elsie is here in full — 151 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Christmas with Grandma Elsie
Context Illustration Reading 2/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
He casteth forth his ice like morsels.'
"Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.
"Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.
"I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."
"And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Christmas with Grandma Elsie

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Christmas with Grandma Elsie is here in full — 151 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 2/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 6–10

Line 1
He casteth forth his ice like morsels.'
Line 2
"Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.
Line 3
"Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.
/ɡʊd ˈmɔːrnɪŋ ˈdɪrəst ˈmɑːmə ðeɪ rɪˈtɜːrnd ˈheɪsənɪŋ tuː hɜːr tuː ɡɪv ənd rəˈsiːv ðə əˈfekʃənət kɪs wɪð wɪtʃ ðeɪ wɜːr əˈkʌstəmd tuː miːt æt ðə bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ ʌv ə nuː deɪ/
Line 4
"I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."
Line 5
"And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.
/ənd ðə ˈbjuːtəfəl wɜːrk ʌv ðə frɔːst kɪŋ rɪˈflektɪŋ hɪz reɪz ˈædəd hɜːr ˈmʌðər ˈkɔːlɪŋ ðer əˈtenʃən tuː ðə nuː ˈbjuːtiz ʌv ðə ˈevər əˈtræktɪv ˈlændskeɪp spred aʊt bɪˈfɔːr ðem/

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.

attractive adjective US /əˈtræktɪv/

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading “"And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.”

beauties noun US /ˈbjuːtiz/

plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading “"And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.”

Frost noun US /frɔːst/

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading “"And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.”

hastening verb US /ˈheɪsənɪŋ/

-ing form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed

From this reading “"Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.”

landscape noun US /ˈlændskeɪp/

an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view

From this reading “"And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.”

morsels noun US /ˈmɔːrsəlz/

plural of “morsel” — a small quantity of anything

From this reading “He casteth forth his ice like morsels.'”

rays noun US /reɪz/

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading “"And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.”

reflecting adjective US /rɪˈflektɪŋ/

causing reflection or having a device that reflects

From this reading “"And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.”

All words in this reading · 79

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 "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

accustomedadjectiveUS /əˈkʌstəmd/

commonly used or practiced; usual

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

addedverbUS /ˈædəd/

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

affectionateadjectiveUS /əˈfekʃənət/

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

Ah

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

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/

pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

beautiesnounUS /ˈbjuːtiz/

plural of “beauty” — the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

beautifuladjectiveUS /ˈbjuːtəfəl/

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

callingnounUS /ˈkɔːlɪŋ/

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

casteth

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

From this reading He casteth forth his ice like morsels.'

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

dearestnounUS /ˈdɪrəst/

a beloved person; used as terms of endearment

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

dears

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

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

delightfuladjectiveUS /dɪˈlaɪtfəl/

greatly pleasing or entertaining

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

doornounUS /dɔːr/

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

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

forthadverbUS /fɔːrθ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading He casteth forth his ice like morsels.'

FrostnounUS /frɔːst/

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

giveverbUS /ɡɪv/

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

gladadjectiveUS /ɡlæd/

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

hasteningverbUS /ˈheɪsənɪŋ/

-ing form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He casteth forth his ice like morsels.'

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He casteth forth his ice like morsels.'

I'm

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

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

icenounUS /aɪs/

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading He casteth forth his ice like morsels.'

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

kingnounUS /kɪŋ/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

kissnounUS /kɪs/

the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/

an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading He casteth forth his ice like morsels.'

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 "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

mammanounUS /ˈmɑːmə/

informal terms for a mother

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

meetverbUS /miːt/

come together

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

morselsnounUS /ˈmɔːrsəlz/

plural of “morsel” — a small quantity of anything

From this reading He casteth forth his ice like morsels.'

mothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

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

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

raysnounUS /reɪz/

plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

receiveverbUS /rəˈsiːv/

get something; come into possession of

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

reflectingadjectiveUS /rɪˈflektɪŋ/

causing reflection or having a device that reflects

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

Rosie

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

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

spreadverbUS /spred/

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

stormverbUS /stɔːrm/

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

sunshinenounUS /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/

the rays of the sun

From this reading "I'm so glad the long storm is over at last," said Rosie; "it is really delightful to see the sunshine once more."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

WalternounUS /ˈwɔːltər/

German conductor (1876-1962)

From this reading "Ah, good morning, my dears," as the door opened and Rosie and Walter came in together.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Good morning, dearest mamma," they returned, hastening to her to give and receive the affectionate kiss with which they were accustomed to meet at the beginning of a new day.

workverbUS /wɜːrk/

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading "And the beautiful work of the Frost king reflecting his rays," added her mother, calling their attention to the new beauties of the ever attractive landscape spread out before them.

Chapter 1 of Christmas with Grandma Elsie by Martha Finley holds 151 sentences, grouped into 31 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 Christmas with Grandma Elsie contain?

Chapter 1 holds 151 sentences of Christmas with Grandma Elsie, unabridged, divided into 31 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Christmas with Grandma Elsie by Martha Finley exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 151 sentences, grouped into 31 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 Christmas with Grandma Elsie?

Work through the 31 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 31 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 Christmas with Grandma Elsie

Common questions about reading Christmas with Grandma Elsie by Martha Finley on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Christmas with Grandma Elsie?

Yes. All 3298 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #14534 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Christmas with Grandma Elsie is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #14534, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Christmas with Grandma Elsie take to read?

About 274 minutes of reading across 660 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Christmas with Grandma Elsie section by section

How to work through Christmas with Grandma Elsie section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 19 chapters of Christmas with Grandma Elsie 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 Christmas with Grandma Elsie

Words and structures a reader meets early in Christmas with Grandma Elsie, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Middle
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christmas with Grandma Elsie; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
November
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christmas with Grandma Elsie; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Storm
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christmas with Grandma Elsie; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ending
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Christmas with Grandma Elsie; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.