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

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of Dear Enemy is here in full — 219 sentences across 44 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 21 of Dear Enemy by Jean Webster holds 219 sentences, grouped into 44 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 21 of Dear Enemy contain?

Chapter 21 holds 219 sentences of Dear Enemy, unabridged, divided into 44 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 21 of Dear Enemy by Jean Webster exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 219 sentences, grouped into 44 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 21 of Dear Enemy?

Work through the 44 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 44 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 21 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 21 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 Dear Enemy

Common questions about reading Dear Enemy by Jean Webster on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Dear Enemy?

Yes. All 4653 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #238 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Dear Enemy is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #238, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Dear Enemy take to read?

About 387 minutes of reading across 931 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Dear Enemy section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 22 chapters of Dear Enemy 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 Dear Enemy

Words and structures a reader meets early in Dear Enemy, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Enemy
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dear Enemy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Webster
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dear Enemy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Stone
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dear Enemy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Worcester
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dear Enemy; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Dear Enemy
Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.
I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.
The east wing is a blackened, roofless shell.
Your hated Ward F, dear Judy, is gone forever.
I wish that you could obliterate it from your mind as absolutely as it is obliterated from the earth.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Dear Enemy

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of Dear Enemy is here in full — 219 sentences across 44 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.
Line 2
I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.
Line 3
The east wing is a blackened, roofless shell.
Line 4
Your hated Ward F, dear Judy, is gone forever.
Line 5
I wish that you could obliterate it from your mind as absolutely as it is obliterated from the earth.

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.

Center noun US /ˈsɛn.tər/

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading “I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.”

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “I wish that you could obliterate it from your mind as absolutely as it is obliterated from the earth.”

All words in this reading · 68

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

absolutely

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

From this reading I wish that you could obliterate it from your mind as absolutely as it is obliterated from the earth.

after

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

all

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

and

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

as

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

From this reading I wish that you could obliterate it from your mind as absolutely as it is obliterated from the earth.

before

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

blackened

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

From this reading The east wing is a blackened, roofless shell.

broad

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

charred

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

control

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

corridor

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

could

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

From this reading I wish that you could obliterate it from your mind as absolutely as it is obliterated from the earth.

daylight

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

dear

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

From this reading Your hated Ward F, dear Judy, is gone forever.

drenched

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

earth

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

From this reading I wish that you could obliterate it from your mind as absolutely as it is obliterated from the earth.

east

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

From this reading The east wing is a blackened, roofless shell.

entirely

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

everything

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

F

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

From this reading Your hated Ward F, dear Judy, is gone forever.

fire

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

forever

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

From this reading Your hated Ward F, dear Judy, is gone forever.

from

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

From this reading I wish that you could obliterate it from your mind as absolutely as it is obliterated from the earth.

gone

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

From this reading Your hated Ward F, dear Judy, is gone forever.

had

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

hated

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

From this reading Your hated Ward F, dear Judy, is gone forever.

I

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

intact

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

is

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

It

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

Judy

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

From this reading Your hated Ward F, dear Judy, is gone forever.

just

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

know

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

let

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

little

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

main

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading I wish that you could obliterate it from your mind as absolutely as it is obliterated from the earth.

my

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

nearly

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

obliterate

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

From this reading I wish that you could obliterate it from your mind as absolutely as it is obliterated from the earth.

obliterated

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

From this reading I wish that you could obliterate it from your mind as absolutely as it is obliterated from the earth.

pretty

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

report

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

right

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

roofless

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

From this reading The east wing is a blackened, roofless shell.

saved

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

shell

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

From this reading The east wing is a blackened, roofless shell.

smoky

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

staircase

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

sufficiently

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

that

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

the

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

though

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

to

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

under

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

up

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

us

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

Ward

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

From this reading Your hated Ward F, dear Judy, is gone forever.

was

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

we

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

what

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

From this reading It was broad daylight before the fire was sufficiently under control to let us know just what we had saved.

will

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

wing

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

From this reading I will report that my wing is entirely intact, though a little smoky, and the main corridor is pretty nearly all right up to the center staircase; after that everything is charred and drenched.

wish

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

From this reading I wish that you could obliterate it from your mind as absolutely as it is obliterated from the earth.

you

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

From this reading I wish that you could obliterate it from your mind as absolutely as it is obliterated from the earth.

Your

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

From this reading Your hated Ward F, dear Judy, is gone forever.