Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story
Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story is here in full — 424 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story
Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
She looked distressed.
"Oh, do you think so?" she said.
"But anyhow I can't tell you.
I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."
"I need it now," he urged.
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.

Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story is here in full — 424 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
She looked distressed.
/ʃiː lʊkt dɪˈstrest/
Line 2
"Oh, do you think so?" she said.
/oʊ duː juː θɪŋk soʊ ʃiː sed/
Line 3
"But anyhow I can't tell you.
Line 4
I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."
Line 5
"I need it now," he urged.
/aɪ niːd ɪt naʊ hiː ɜːrdʒd/

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.

anyhow adverb US /ˈenihaʊ/

used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement

From this reading “"But anyhow I can't tell you.”

comes noun US /kʌmz/

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading “I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."”

distressed adjective US /dɪˈstrest/

facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty

From this reading “She looked distressed.”

need noun US /niːd/

a condition requiring relief

From this reading “I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."”

send verb US /send/

cause to go somewhere

From this reading “I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."”

urged verb US /ɜːrdʒd/

past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction

From this reading “"I need it now," he urged.”

write verb US /raɪt/

produce a literary work

From this reading “I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."”

All words in this reading · 45

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.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

anyhowadverbUS /ˈenihaʊ/

used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement

From this reading "But anyhow I can't tell you.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "But anyhow I can't tell you.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

can't

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

From this reading "But anyhow I can't tell you.

comesnounUS /kʌmz/

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

distressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrest/

facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty

From this reading She looked distressed.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "Oh, do you think so?" she said.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading "I need it now," he urged.

helpverbUS /help/

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "But anyhow I can't tell you.

I'll

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

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She looked distressed.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

neednounUS /niːd/

a condition requiring relief

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading "I need it now," he urged.

OhnounUS /oʊ/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading "Oh, do you think so?" she said.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Oh, do you think so?" she said.

SecretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

sendverbUS /send/

cause to go somewhere

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She looked distressed.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "Oh, do you think so?" she said.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading "But anyhow I can't tell you.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "Oh, do you think so?" she said.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

urgedverbUS /ɜːrdʒd/

past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction

From this reading "I need it now," he urged.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

writeverbUS /raɪt/

produce a literary work

From this reading I can only tell you up to where the Secret comes in, and then--if I never see you again, you can think about it; and any time you write to me for the Secret, I'll send it to you to help you when you need it most."

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Oh, do you think so?" she said.

Chapter 2 of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story by Clara E. (Clara Elizabeth) Laughlin holds 424 sentences, grouped into 85 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 2 of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story contain?

Chapter 2 holds 424 sentences of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story, unabridged, divided into 85 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story by Clara E. (Clara Elizabeth) Laughlin exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 424 sentences, grouped into 85 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 2 of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story?

Work through the 85 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 85 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story

Common questions about reading Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story by Clara E. (Clara Elizabeth) Laughlin on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story?

Yes. All 839 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #17507 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #17507, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story take to read?

About 69 minutes of reading across 168 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story section by section

How to work through Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 2 chapters of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story 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 Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story

Words and structures a reader meets early in Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Evolution
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Girl's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ideal
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Everybody's Lonesome: A True Fairy Story; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.