Discipline

Chapter XXVI

Chapter 26 of Discipline is here in full — 251 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Mary Brunton • Curated US English Learning Edition

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

_It is too late.

The life of all_ her _blood Is touched corruptibly; and_ her _poor brain (Which some suppose the soul's frail dwelling-house) Doth, by the idle comments which it makes, Foretell the ending of mortality._ Shakspeare.

I was startled by the approach of a heavy footstep.

Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

But I asked an impossibility; poor Juliet could not restrain her sobbing.

Narrator

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.

Chapter XXVI Reading 1/50

Discipline

Chapter XXVI

Chapter 26 of Discipline is here in full — 251 sentences across 51 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/50 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

_It is too late.

/ɪt ɪz tuː leɪt/

Line 2

Line 3

I was startled by the approach of a heavy footstep.

/aɪ wɑːz ˈstɑːrtəld baɪ ðə əˈproʊtʃ ʌv ə ˈhevi ˈfʊtstep/

Line 4

Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

/ˈtrembəlɪŋ aɪ ˈwɪspərd tuː mɪs ˈɑːrnəld æn ˈɜːrnɪst enˈtriːti ðæt ʃiː wʊd kəˈmænd hərˈself ənd nɑːt ˌɪnˈvaɪt ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti pərˈhæps ˌɪnˈsʌlt tuː ˈaʊər læst riˈtriːt/

Line 5

But I asked an impossibility; poor Juliet could not restrain her sobbing.

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.

comments noun US /ˈkɑːments/

plural of “comment” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

From this reading “The life of all_ her _blood Is touched corruptibly; and_ her _poor brain (Which some suppose the soul's frail dwelling-house) Doth, by the idle comments which it makes, Foretell the ending of mortality._ Shakspeare.”

entreaty noun US /enˈtriːti/

earnest or urgent request

From this reading “Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.”

footstep noun US /ˈfʊtstep/

the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading “I was startled by the approach of a heavy footstep.”

Foretell verb US /fɔːrˈtel/

foreshadow or presage

frail adjective US /freɪl/

physically weak

impossibility noun US /ˌɪmpɔːsɪˈbɪlɪti/

incapability of existing or occurring

From this reading “But I asked an impossibility; poor Juliet could not restrain her sobbing.”

mortality noun US /mɔːrˈtæləti/

the quality or state of being mortal

restrain verb US /riˈstreɪn/

to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement

From this reading “But I asked an impossibility; poor Juliet could not restrain her sobbing.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

earnest entreaty adjective + noun

In this reading “Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.”

too late adverb + adjective

In this reading “_It is too late.”

heavy footstep adjective + noun

In this reading “I was startled by the approach of a heavy footstep.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 I was startled by the approach of a heavy footstep.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The life of all_ her _blood Is touched corruptibly; and_ her _poor brain (Which some suppose the soul's frail dwelling-house) Doth, by the idle comments which it makes, Foretell the ending of mortality._ Shakspeare.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

approachverbUS /əˈproʊtʃ/

move towards

From this reading I was startled by the approach of a heavy footstep.

ArnoldnounUS /ˈɑːrnəld/

English poet and literary critic (1822-1888)

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

askedverbUS /æskt/

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading But I asked an impossibility; poor Juliet could not restrain her sobbing.

bloodnounUS /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

brainnounUS /breɪn/

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But I asked an impossibility; poor Juliet could not restrain her sobbing.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

commandnounUS /kəˈmænd/

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

commentsnounUS /ˈkɑːments/

plural of “comment” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information

corruptibly

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

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading But I asked an impossibility; poor Juliet could not restrain her sobbing.

curiositynounUS /ˌkjʊriˈɑːsəti/

a state in which you want to learn more about something

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

Dothauxiliary verbUS /dɔːθ/

an old form of “does”

dwelling-house

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

earnestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrnɪst/

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/

the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)

entreatynounUS /enˈtriːti/

earnest or urgent request

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

footstepnounUS /ˈfʊtstep/

the sound of a step of someone walking

From this reading I was startled by the approach of a heavy footstep.

ForetellverbUS /fɔːrˈtel/

foreshadow or presage

frailadjectiveUS /freɪl/

physically weak

heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading I was startled by the approach of a heavy footstep.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

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

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I was startled by the approach of a heavy footstep.

idleadjectiveUS /ˈaɪdəl/

not in action or at work

impossibilitynounUS /ˌɪmpɔːsɪˈbɪlɪti/

incapability of existing or occurring

From this reading But I asked an impossibility; poor Juliet could not restrain her sobbing.

insultnounUS /ˌɪnˈsʌlt/

a rude expression intended to offend or hurt

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

inviteverbUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪt/

increase the likelihood of

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading _It is too late.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _It is too late.

Juliet

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

From this reading But I asked an impossibility; poor Juliet could not restrain her sobbing.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading _It is too late.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

makesnounUS /meɪks/

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

MissverbUS /mɪs/

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

mortalitynounUS /mɔːrˈtæləti/

the quality or state of being mortal

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

pooradjectiveUS /puːr/

deserving or inciting pity

restrainverbUS /riˈstreɪn/

to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement

From this reading But I asked an impossibility; poor Juliet could not restrain her sobbing.

retreatnounUS /riˈtriːt/

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

Shakspeare

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

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

sobbingnounUS /ˈsɑːbɪŋ/

convulsive gasp made while weeping

From this reading But I asked an impossibility; poor Juliet could not restrain her sobbing.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

soul's

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

startledadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtəld/

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading I was startled by the approach of a heavy footstep.

supposeverbUS /səˈpoʊz/

express a supposition

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading _It is too late.

touchedadjectiveUS /tʌtʃt/

having come into contact

TremblingnounUS /ˈtrembəlɪŋ/

a shaky motion

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I was startled by the approach of a heavy footstep.

WhichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

whisperedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪspərd/

spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Trembling, I whispered to Miss Arnold an earnest entreaty that she would command herself, and not invite curiosity, perhaps insult, to our last retreat.

Chapter 26 of Discipline by Mary Brunton holds 251 sentences, grouped into 51 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 26 of Discipline contain?

Chapter 26 holds 251 sentences of Discipline, unabridged, divided into 51 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 26 of Discipline by Mary Brunton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 251 sentences, grouped into 51 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 26 of Discipline?

Work through the 51 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 51 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 26 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 26 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 Discipline

Common questions about reading Discipline by Mary Brunton on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Discipline?

Yes. All 6347 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #38510 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Discipline is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #38510, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Discipline take to read?

About 528 minutes of reading across 1270 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Discipline section by section

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

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 30 chapters of Discipline to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Discipline

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

Wayward: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Discipline; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Self-willed: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Discipline; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Grandame's: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Discipline; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Child: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Discipline; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter XXVI

What does chapter 26 of Discipline contain?

How do I study chapter 26 of Discipline?

Can chapter 26 be read aloud to me?

Questions about reading Discipline

How to read Discipline section by section

Open a chapter

Read one section

Listen and tap

Vocabulary met early in Discipline