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Dorothy Dale's Promise
Dorothy Dale's Promise

Chapter IX

Chapter 9 of Dorothy Dale's Promise is here in full — 128 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Margaret Penrose • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Dorothy Dale's Promise
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.
“What we want in literature is direct and simple English.
“I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.
The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.
“Do you attend me?” she added, sharply, staring straight at Tavia.
0:00 / 0:00
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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.

Dorothy Dale's Promise

Chapter IX

Chapter 9 of Dorothy Dale's Promise is here in full — 128 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.
Line 2
“What we want in literature is direct and simple English.
/wʌt wiː wɑːnt ɪn ˈlɪtərətʃər ɪz dərˈekt ənd ˈsɪmpəl ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
Line 3
“I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.
Line 4
The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.
/ðə ˈbetər ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋ wʌn hæz ʌv wɜːrdz ənd ðer ˈmiːnɪŋz ðə mɔːr ˈsɪmpli θɔːt meɪ biː ɪkˈsprest/
Line 5
“Do you attend me?” she added, sharply, staring straight at Tavia.

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.

afoot adverb US /əˈfʊt/

on foot; walking

From this reading “AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
appealed verb US /əˈpiːld/

past form of “appeal” — take a court case to a higher court for review

From this reading “AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
discussion noun US /dɪˈskʌʃən/

an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic

From this reading “AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
literature noun US /ˈlɪtərətʃər/

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading ““What we want in literature is direct and simple English.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
meanings noun US /ˈmiːnɪŋz/

plural of “meaning” — the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading “The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rhetoric noun US /ˈretərɪk/

using language effectively to please or persuade

From this reading ““I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
scholarship noun US /ˈskɑːlərʃɪp/

financial aid provided to a student on the basis of academic merit

From this reading ““I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
so-called adjective US /ˈsoʊˈkɔːld/

doubtful or suspect

From this reading ““I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

deeply interested adverb + adjective

In this reading “AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.”

3,064 times in 426,211 chapters
young ladies adjective + noun counted as “young lady”

a young female

In this reading ““I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.”

54,434 times in 426,211 chapters
under discussion preposition + noun

In this reading “AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.”

965 times in 426,211 chapters
better understanding adjective + noun

In this reading “The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.”

515 times in 426,211 chapters
fine writing adjective + noun

In this reading ““I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.”

257 times in 426,211 chapters
in literature preposition + noun

In this reading ““What we want in literature is direct and simple English.”

3,057 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 77

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.

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 “Do you attend me?” she added, sharply, staring straight at Tavia.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AFOOTadverbUS /əˈfʊt/

on foot; walking

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ANdeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
appealedverbUS /əˈpiːld/

past form of “appeal” — take a court case to a higher court for review

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “Do you attend me?” she added, sharply, staring straight at Tavia.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
attendverbUS /əˈtend/

be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.

From this reading “Do you attend me?” she added, sharply, staring straight at Tavia.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/

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

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
classnounUS /klæs/

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
deeplyadverbUS /ˈdiːpli/

to a great depth psychologically or emotionally

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
directverbUS /dərˈekt/

command with authority

From this reading “What we want in literature is direct and simple English.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/

an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “Do you attend me?” she added, sharply, staring straight at Tavia.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading “What we want in literature is direct and simple English.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Epigrams

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

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

Pending verification
EXPEDITIONnounUS /ˌekspəˈdɪʃən/

a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
expressedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsprest/

communicated in words

From this reading The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

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

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “What we want in literature is direct and simple English.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
interestedadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəstɪd/

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading “What we want in literature is direct and simple English.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ladiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
literaturenounUS /ˈlɪtərətʃər/

creative writing of recognized artistic value

From this reading “What we want in literature is direct and simple English.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
markverbUS /mɑːrk/

attach a tag or label to

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Do you attend me?” she added, sharply, staring straight at Tavia.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
meaningsnounUS /ˈmiːnɪŋz/

plural of “meaning” — the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MissverbUS /mɪs/

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

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Olaine

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

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Pending verification
onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
particularlyadverbUS /ˌpɑːrˈtɪkjələrli/

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rhetoricnounUS /ˈretərɪk/

using language effectively to please or persuade

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
scholarshipnounUS /ˈskɑːlərʃɪp/

financial aid provided to a student on the basis of academic merit

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sharplyadverbUS /ˈʃɑːrpli/

in an aggressive manner

From this reading “Do you attend me?” she added, sharply, staring straight at Tavia.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading “What we want in literature is direct and simple English.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
simplyadverbUS /ˈsɪmpli/

and nothing more

From this reading The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
so-calledadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊˈkɔːld/

doubtful or suspect

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
staringadjectiveUS /ˈsterɪŋ/

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading “Do you attend me?” she added, sharply, staring straight at Tavia.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
straightadjectiveUS /streɪt/

successive (without a break)

From this reading “Do you attend me?” she added, sharply, staring straight at Tavia.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Tavia

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

From this reading “Do you attend me?” she added, sharply, staring straight at Tavia.

Pending verification
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
understandingnounUS /ˌʌndərˈstændɪŋ/

the cognitive condition of someone who understands

From this reading The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading “What we want in literature is direct and simple English.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “What we want in literature is direct and simple English.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading “What we want in literature is direct and simple English.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wishverbUS /wɪʃ/

hope for; have a wish

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading The better understanding one has of words and their meanings, the more simply thought may be expressed.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
writingnounUS /ˈraɪtɪŋ/

the act of creating written works

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
YesnounUS /jes/

an affirmative

From this reading AN EXPEDITION AFOOT “Yes,” said Miss Olaine, who became deeply interested when she thought she had the attention of her class, and the matter under discussion was one that appealed particularly to herself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading “I wish you young ladies to mark this: Epigrams, or flowers of rhetoric, or so-called ‘fine writing,’ does not mark scholarship.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 9 of Dorothy Dale's Promise by Margaret Penrose holds 128 sentences, grouped into 26 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 9 of Dorothy Dale's Promise contain?

Chapter 9 holds 128 sentences of Dorothy Dale's Promise, unabridged, divided into 26 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of Dorothy Dale's Promise by Margaret Penrose exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 128 sentences, grouped into 26 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 9 of Dorothy Dale's Promise?

Work through the 26 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 26 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 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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 Dorothy Dale's Promise

Common questions about reading Dorothy Dale's Promise by Margaret Penrose on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Dorothy Dale's Promise?

Yes. All 4025 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #54021 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Dorothy Dale's Promise is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #54021, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Dorothy Dale's Promise take to read?

About 335 minutes of reading across 805 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Dorothy Dale's Promise section by section

How to work through Dorothy Dale's Promise section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 30 chapters of Dorothy Dale's Promise 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 Dorothy Dale's Promise

Words and structures a reader meets early in Dorothy Dale's Promise, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dorothy Dale's Promise; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Dorothy
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dorothy Dale's Promise; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
To-day
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dorothy Dale's Promise; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Glenwood
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Dorothy Dale's Promise; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.