Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in is here in full — 211 sentences across 43 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

JOLLYKALOO.

NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

And then he rolled out of bed; and then Fluff and Puff rolled out of bed.

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 IV Reading 1/42

Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in is here in full — 211 sentences across 43 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

JOLLYKALOO.

Line 2

NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

/naʊ ɪz nɑːt ðæt ə ˈprɪti sɔːŋ ənd soʊ ˈsɪmpəl aɪ ʃʊd θɪŋk ə ˈbeɪbi maɪt ˌʌndərˈstænd ɪt/

Line 3

And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

Line 4

He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

Line 5

And then he rolled out of bed; and then Fluff and Puff rolled out of bed.

/ənd ðen hiː roʊld aʊt ʌv bed ənd ðen flʌf ənd pʌf roʊld aʊt ʌv bed/

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.

bird noun US /bɜːrd/

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading “He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).”

Downy adjective US /ˈdaʊni/

like down or as soft as down

From this reading “And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.”

Fluff noun US /flʌf/

any light downy material

From this reading “And then he rolled out of bed; and then Fluff and Puff rolled out of bed.”

funny adjective US /ˈfʌni/

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading “He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).”

Puff verb US /pʌf/

smoke and exhale strongly

From this reading “And then he rolled out of bed; and then Fluff and Puff rolled out of bed.”

rolled adjective US /roʊld/

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading “And then he rolled out of bed; and then Fluff and Puff rolled out of bed.”

sang noun US /sæŋ/

North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng

From this reading “And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.”

sounds noun US /saʊndz/

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading “He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).”

All words in this reading · 60

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 NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

babynounUS /ˈbeɪbi/

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

bednounUS /bed/

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading And then he rolled out of bed; and then Fluff and Puff rolled out of bed.

birdnounUS /bɜːrd/

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

birdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

cannot

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

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

DownyadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊni/

like down or as soft as down

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

FnounUS /ef/

a degree on the Fahrenheit scale of temperature

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

finging

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

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

FluffnounUS /flʌf/

any light downy material

From this reading And then he rolled out of bed; and then Fluff and Puff rolled out of bed.

funnyadjectiveUS /ˈfʌni/

arousing or provoking laughter

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

JOLLYKALOO

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

From this reading JOLLYKALOO.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

linden-tree

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

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

NOWadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

OhnounUS /oʊ/

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

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading And then he rolled out of bed; and then Fluff and Puff rolled out of bed.

outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

pitty

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

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

PuffverbUS /pʌf/

smoke and exhale strongly

From this reading And then he rolled out of bed; and then Fluff and Puff rolled out of bed.

rolledadjectiveUS /roʊld/

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading And then he rolled out of bed; and then Fluff and Puff rolled out of bed.

SnounUS /es/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

sangnounUS /sæŋ/

North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

saysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

seemverbUS /siːm/

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

songnounUS /sɔːŋ/

a short musical composition with words

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

soundsnounUS /saʊndz/

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading And then he rolled out of bed; and then Fluff and Puff rolled out of bed.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading NOW is not that a pretty song? and so simple, I should think a baby might understand it.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He only said, "Oh! so pitty bird finging!" (he cannot say S, so he says F instead, which sounds very funny).

windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/

a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading And yet Downy did not seem to understand a word of it, though the birds that sang it were just outside his window in the great linden-tree.

Chapter 4 of Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in by Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards holds 211 sentences, grouped into 43 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 4 of Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in contain?

Chapter 4 holds 211 sentences of Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in, unabridged, divided into 43 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in by Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 211 sentences, grouped into 43 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 4 of Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in?

Work through the 43 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 43 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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.

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Common questions about reading Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in by Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards on this page, its source edition and its audio.

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Yes. All 2266 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #29001 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #29001, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 188 minutes of reading across 454 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in

Words and structures a reader meets early in Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Mouse-trap: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Author: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Babyhood: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Illustrations: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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Vocabulary met early in Five Mice in a Mouse-trap, by the Man in